The International Amateur Athletic Federation cannot take action against world shot put champion C.J. Hunter until the American federation decide whether to suspend him for doping offences, an official said today.
Hunter, husband of US sprint star and triple Olympic gold medallist Marion Jones, stands accused of testing positive for anabolic steroid nandrolone on four occasions last year.
In the absence of any action from his national federation, the IAAF's anti-doping commission meeting in Monaco had been expected to recommend a direct ban for the athlete to the IAAF's council.
But the official said: "His case was among the day's business, but as no action has yet been taken by the American federation (USA Track and Field), we cannot put any pressure on them.
"This commission cannot take any decision, it can only make recommendations," the official added.
Hunter is already suspended ... What more could this commission have done?" said the official, who asked not to be named.
The recommendations of the commission are not normally released to the press.
The news of the failed drug tests broke during the Sydney Olympics, in which Hunter took no competitive part. He has vehemently denied he is a drugs cheat, stating he must have unwittingly taken nandrolone in vitamin supplements. AFP