Eight-time Olympic champion Michael Johnson has argued for longer bans for missed tests.
Speaking days after it emerged Bahraini’s World 400m champion Salwa Eid Naser has missed three tests in the 12 months before winning the world 400m title last year and another in January, he wrote on Twitter:
“I believe the sport can legally increase the punishment for missed tests,” said Johnson, the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games 200/400 champion.
Johnson, who also won the 400m title at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, continued: “Increase the punishment to 4 years, and you’ll see fewer missed tests.”
“Two (2 years) gives the presumption of innocence already. Maybe it’s not labelled as equal to positive, but the punishment should be,” said the eight-time World champion.
We want to hear from you, but before you do, HIT the share buttons below to share this and other stories with friends.
Join our lively discussion by leaving a comment below. Also, join OUR Message Boards (FORUM) for more discussions —- Please remember to follow us on social media – subscribe to our social media pages –
Trackalertstv 
Trackalerts 
Trackalerts 
Trackalerts
Please ask MJ where was his voice when Christian Coleman had 3 missed test last year . Set of hypocrites.
Patra Gayle my point exactly
Patra Gayle so true
Patra Gayle Coleman didn’t get banned according the rules. That rule is the problem.
I share the same sentiments, even A female boxer t ees sted positive for banned substance and was found to be still eligible to box because she claimed she got it through sex!
Life ban cheating, 4 years missed test because you know the rules and deliberately ignore them
Four years for missed tests is an overkill, especially because the administrators sometimes don’t even know what they are doing, as we say in the Coleman case.
I am for whatever it takes to keep the sport clean. I however want to see this punishment applied equally and not allow some athletes to escape with flimsy technicalities.
Why Micheal Johnson didn’t say the same thing for Christian Coleman when he missed his tests????
Anthony Willer bcs Coleman got away like this according the rules. That rule is the problem.
Where was he last year when he should have been lobbying for that with the now 100 m world champion?
Kadian Jones Coleman didn’t get banned according the rules. That rule is the problem.
Kadian Jones good point Mr Jones
I guess that he means, 1 yr for each meter hence the 4 years.
Maureen McLeod why does this man have so much to say as if he was clean?
Joseph Cunningham can I tell you!!
Maureen McLeod kmt
So why he didn’t argue and made sure Coleman got banned
It depend on the reasons and circumstances for missing tests.. If the assessment is done fairly and length of ban given accordingly then I’m all for it.
Michael Johnson needs to sit down. Everyone wants to blow their own horn now. Where was he when all those American athletes were getting caught? Just shut up!