Krabbe receives IAAF settlement

Krabbe tested positive for clenbuterol in 1992

Former sprint world champion Katrin Krabbe has reached an out-of-court settlement with the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) to end a lengthy legal dispute over a drugs ban.

The German's lawyer, Thomas Summerer, said a settlement with the IAAF had been reached on 19 April and payment, which he declined to specify, had been received.

"I am very satisfied," Summerer said. "This is a case that writes sport history, it sets a precedent.

"As far as I could find out, it is the first time the IAAF paid a notable amount to settle a case."

This was a case of double jeopardy - she was punished twice for the same rule violation

Krabbe's lawyer Thomas Summerer

The IAAF made a statement confirming the matter was over.

"The IAAF desires to put a definite end to the eight-year-long legal dispute with Katrin Krabbe," the statement read.

Krabbe, 32, claims a suspension imposed on her by the IAAF after she admitted taking the banned drug clenbuterol in 1992, was illegal.

A Munich court ruled last June that the IAAF should pay the German sprinter £378,850 in compensation plus 4% interest for the period since 1994.

A court of appeal confirmed the ruling in March, Summerer said, opening the way for the out-of-court settlement.

The former East German burst into the limelight by winning the 100m and 200m titles at the 1991 world championships in Tokyo.

After she admitted taking clenbuterol the following year, the IAAF and the German Athletics Federation (DLV) were unable to impose a mandatory four-year ban because of a legal problem caused by the German federation's rule-book.

Two-year ban

Instead the DLV suspended Krabbe for one year for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The IAAF added a further two-year ban in 1993 for which Krabbe, who has since given up athletics, sought compensation.

"This was a case of double jeopardy," said Summerer.

"She was punished twice for the same rule violation. The appeals court found strong words to confirm the first (court) ruling.

"That led to a quick conclusion. The IAAF approached us with the settlement offer."

With her striking looks and prowess on the track, Krabbe became a German heroine before the doping scandal ruined her brief career.

One of the first athletes to achieve success for a unified Germany, she was voted German Sportswoman of the Year in 1990 and 1991.

She now runs a sports shop in her home town of Neubrandenburg.