The National Collegiate Athletic Association, which can suspend or disqualify athletes for illegally wagering on any sporting event, is working in conjunction with Columbia in the inquiry.

But in a year when precedent was established to suspend athletes without a failed drug test, as in the Balco-related cases of Montgomery and Gaines, we should also recognize the possibility of the pendulum swinging too far.

Fatima Whitbread, the world champion in the women's javelin throw, called for the establishment of a disciplinary committee to fine or suspend British athletes and officials who bring track and field into disrepute.

Track's governing body, meeting in Barcelona, Spain, warned yesterday that it might suspend athletes who renege on their commitments.

Collins is one of the targets of the anti-doping agency as it continues to seek to suspend athletes who have not failed conventional drug tests, The New York Times reported on Saturday.

The I.A.A.F. suspends athletes after what it considers a positive drug test, pending a hearing.

The anti-doping agency has said it will use the standard of beyond a reasonable doubt when attempting to suspend athletes who have not failed a drug test.

This is too long, according to the I.A.A.F., which suspends athletes after the A sample is declared positive.

The council then brought forward its resolution empowering it to suspend athletes that it finds in violation of the IAAF amateur code.

And in recent weeks, the track and field federations in Cuba and Jamaica have declined to suspend athletes who have tested positive for cocaine and the steroid nandralone.