By Ken Stone

One down, one to go.

Multiple sources reveal that Frantisek Drab, the M50 Czech Republic javelin thrower banned for a positive drug test, was found with anabolic steroids in his system -- and that he opted not to dispute the finding.

Like American Kathy Jager, the Czech and an Italian woman have been banned for competition for two years.

The original news of the bans appeared in the IAAF newsletter No. 46, published Dec. 15, 2000. But since the two masters were among 20 athletes listed for doping violations, little attention was paid until February.

In fact, both the official WAVA and European Veteran Athletic Association Web sites were still silent on the subject weeks after the news broke widely Feb. 5 on the German masters Web site maintained by WAVA champion Annette Koop and her lawyer husband, Robert.

Drab, tested positive for anabolic steroids July 18, 2000, at the European Veterans Outdoor Champs in Jyvskyla, Finland, where he had won the silver medal in the javelin with a throw of 62.27m -- a little over 204 feet.

That also was the No. 2 mark in his age group worldwide in 2000. Drab (also listed as Drap by some sources) also took second in the 1998 Nike World Masters Games in Eugene, Oregon, where he threw 57.54 (188-9) in the M45 age group.

The banned Italian is Tania Ciuciula, who tested positive for a still-unidentified banned substance at the Italian Indoor Veterans championships in Naples, Italy, on Feb. 20, 2000. However, she continued to compete that spring and summer, including a long jump competition April 25 in Rome and the Italian vets outdoor championships in June in Milan. There she won gold in the long jump and bronze in the 100m (15.65).

Apparently, she was barred from competing a month later in the European veterans championships in mid-July in Finland. The Eurovets meet Web site shows Ciuciula among the entrants, but the results do not show her as having competed.

Several attempts to reach European veterans officials have been met with silence or suspicion.

European Veterans AA technical manager Winston Thomas of Britain wrote: “Before it is turned into a media circus, which is what you seem to be after, . . . therefore your questions regarding this will not be answered through (my office).” Bridget Cushen of Britain, the longtime chair of the WAVA Women's Committee, charged with “representing the interests of women athletes,” had nothing to offer as well.

In mid-February Finnish masters webmaster Georg Dunkel reported that Drab’s silver medal was awarded to bronze winner Erkki Porri of Finland

Drab’s “B-sample” at the Eurovets meet wasn’t tested, however, “because the sportsman (Drab) didn’t demand it.”

The doping news caused a small sensation when reported on Finnish TV, Dunkel says, and the case also was discussed in the biggest Finnish newspaper, Helingin Sanomat. The Czech Republic’s veterans track association banned Drab from competition until Sept. 19, 2002.

Dunkel writes: “Doping . . . in veterans athletics is really important to manage seriously, because temptation to use them can be even bigger than young sportsmen. For young, the money spoils the athlete, but as well for old men/women the obsession to win at last can be big apple.”

The Eurovets doping case also revealed an apparent split between WAVA and the IAAF over which body has jurisdiction over veterans doping cases -- with both organizations claiming the other is in charge.

The IAAF Newsletter No. 44, August 2000, page 4, “IAAF Council Major Decisions,” contains the following statement:

“In the matter of the application for the early reinstatement of Kathy Jager, a 56-year-old athlete of the USA, Council adopted the position that the IAAF should not exercise any jurisdiction over doping matters relating to Veteran athletes competing in events that are limited to Veterans. Such matters should be dealt with by WAVA.”

However, WAVA President Torsten Carlius of Sweden writes: “WAVA hands over all positive cases to be handled by IAAF and EVAA does the same. IAAF submitted the reinstatement question to us for our decision as it con-cerns veterans meetings, but they handle as I said all cases through their channels.”

Of the Eurovets doping cases, Carlius wrote: “If you have any questions, I suggest that you contact the IAAF drug officials. I do not have the answers myself and cannot help you.”