athletics meet.

The International Athletic Amateur Federation (IAAF) confirmed yesterday that Nicolai Raev, who tested positive for amphetamines at the world indoor championships in March, was banned for four years by the Bulgarian athletic federation on July 1.

That information was passed on to the IAAF on Monday, leaving Bermuda's 25-year-old triple-jumping sensation in position to collect a belated bronze medal.

Wellman was fourth at the Toronto SkyDome to record-setting Frenchman Pierre Camara with Latvian Maris Bruziks second and Raev third.

The Bulgarian beat Wellman to the bronze because his second-best jump went farther after their best efforts were equal at 56 feet, eight inches.

A positive test, first publicised in April, opened the door for Wellman and after the back-up test also proved positive, Raev was suspended for two years by the IAAF.

However, Raev and countryman Daniel Ivanov, a long jumper who also won a bronze medal in Toronto, were afforded a hearing in front of their national federation to defend themselves, which caused the delay.

Both were found guilty and given lengthier suspensions by their own federation, with the IAAF's punishment guaranteeing they miss two years in case of a future reprieve.

The ball is now in the Bermuda Track and Field Association's (BTFA) court to make sure that the medal is given to its rightful owner -- Wellman.

"The (Bermuda) federation has to contact the general secretary Istvan Gyulai,'' said IAAF public relations officer Jayne Pearce from London yesterday. "It is normal procedure for the results to be adjdusted and the positions changed.'' There has been no contact between the BTFA and the IAAF since the first positive test on Raev was publicised.

BTFA president Phil Guishard, who said yesterday that he has been waiting on word from the world governing body, is elated with the news and plans to act immediately.

"We'll be in touch with them to find out what's going on,'' he said. "I don't know if we will have to get the medal from the IAAF or from the people in Canada, but it should not be too long now.'' Wellman is in Europe preparing for the world outdoor championships in Stuttgart, Germany, from August 18-22.

Prior to the world indoors, Clarance (Nicky) Saunders' high jump gold medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games was Bermuda's top athletic achievement.

If he continues on his current path, Wellman will be favoured to do as well at the 1994 version in Victoria, British Columbia, next August.

BRAVO BRIAN -- Wellman becomes the first Bermudian to win a medal at a world athletics meet.