clarinews@clarinet.com (01/18/90)
INDIANAPOLIS (UPI) -- The Athletics Congress Wednesday modified its random drug testing policy in an effort to prevent athletes from claiming retirement as an excuse not to be tested. TAC's year-round, out-of-competition drug testing program began last October, randomly selecting 14 athletes weekly to be tested for illegal drug use. ``Under the new regulation,'' TAC said, ``any athlete who claims to be retired after being selected must agree not to compete for a two-year period.'' Unless an athlete announces his retirement to TAC, he or she is still listed among those eligible for the testing. Among athletes who are eligible for testing are the top 15 performers in each event, based on current performance lists.