TESTING FOR performance enhancing drugs could start as soon as next month at the National Championships now that the Amateur Athletics Association (AAA) has adopted new rules from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

However, those four new anti-doping rules which govern in and out-of-competition doping controls will have far-reaching implications for under-age athletes here in Barbados.

These rules, which have been mandated by the parent body
to all national federations as a condition of membership, state:

* The association and NACAC (the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association) shall have the authority to conduct in and out-of-competition doping controls, a report of which, in the case of the athlete, must be submitted to the IAAF on an annual basis.

* The association gives the IAAF authority to conduct doping controls at the association's National Championships.

* The association gives the IAAF authority to conduct unannounced out-of-competition testing on the association's athletes.

* Each athlete, as a condition of membership in the association, shall agree to be subject to any in-competition and out-of-competition testing carried out by the association, the IAAF
and any other body with competent authority to test under these anti-doping rules.

Anti-doping controls are already in place here for national track and field athletes, but only for those in the Under-20 age group and above.

Since these new rules include athletes at all ages, the concern has been raised that a minor may be picked for random testing.

The AAA held a special general meeting earlier this week where the amendments to the constitution were approved,
but the implementation still has to be worked out.

"We have to work out the logistics for implementation from the point of view of the athletes. We have to go back to the members for each athlete
to agree," said AAA president Esther Maynard.

"The current registration form has a waiver that athletes sign and this would have to have a clause to include this. Where the athlete is underage, the parents would have to give consent."

The reach will also extend
to the Barbados Secondary Schools' Athletics Championships (BSSAC)
or Inter School Sports.

Catherine Jordan, head of the BSSAC organising committee and also AAA secretary, said they would seek clarification from
Dr Adrian Lorde and the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation,
but would be guided by the AAA.