MADRID - Key proposed changes to the world anti-doping code, which comes up for ratification at the World Doping Conference in Madrid this week:

MADRID - Key proposed changes to the world anti-doping code, which comes up for ratification at the World Doping Conference in Madrid this week:

l Athletes to face a four-year suspension (up from two years) for a first doping offence in "aggravated" cases. This includes athletes involved in a larger doping scheme; using prohibited substances on multiple occasions; if the athlete enjoys the effect of the prohibited substance for a period longer than the term of ineligibility; or for impeding the investigation of an anti-doping offence;

l Athletes to be considered guilty of a doping violation if they accumulate a combination of three missed tests and/or fail to provide information of their whereabouts within an 18-month period;

l Athletes to get reduced bans if they admit to doping; assist officials in catching other drug cheats; lead investigators to a larger doping scheme; prove the prohibited substance was not intended to boost performance;

l Testing time between A and B samples to be reduced; athletes to be provisionally suspended after a positive A sample;

l Wada (World Anti-Doping Agency) can appeal a sanction or non-sanction by a national anti-doping organisation directly to the Court of Arbitration of Sport; and

l The IOC to accept bids for the Olympics only from countries whose governments have signed up to the Unesco (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) convention and whose national bodies comply with the Wada code. - Sapa-AP