I kept this away from Athletics as it concerned Millar & cycling as much (but merge it if you want mods) - and having read Millar's brilliant autobiography I saw a lot of mitigating circumstances with him.

Going forwards there needs to be an agreed worldwide policy. I'd prefer lifetime bans, but at minimum 4 years.

Reluctantly though, this decision is probably the right one. It would've been a nonsense that Merritt, Gatlin & numerous cyclists and countless others who had failed tests could've been competing while Chambers, Millar & Myerscough etc were unable to.

90% of those who had failed tests I've nothing but contempt for, but Millar's circumstances, if you've read his book do show some mitigating circumstances. Cycling and to a degree athletics are in a considerably better place than they were a decade ago.

Any failed tests now would be inexcusable and deserve a lifetime ban, but the choices at that time in most cases were dope or trail in miles behind the rest and invariably lose your job.