The governing body for U.S. track and field is expanding its zero tolerance anti-doping policy to coaches.

New regulations made public Thursday will require coaches to register with USA Track & Field, and coaches who have had athletes serve at least a two-year ban for doping or have been sanctioned themselves must be approved by a review panel.

The rules, to take effect sometime next year, are the federation's first concrete attempt to deal with coaches linked to doping cases, such as elite coach Trevor Graham.

This summer, the federation learned Graham's top athlete, Olympic and world sprint champion Justin Gatlin, tested positive in April for steroids and other performance enhancers.

Graham, whose former clients include five-time Olympic medallist Marion Jones and former world record holder Tim Montgomery, has had several athletes test positive for banned substances.

He also has been indicted on charges of lying to federal investigators in the BALCO drug probe and is the subject of an U.S. Anti-Doping Agency investigation. He has pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges and has denied supplying banned drugs to his athletes.

``While USADA remains responsible for issuing doping bans, the board of directors recognizes how critical it is that we do everything we can to deny USATF benefits to those who may be influencing athletes to use drugs,'' USATF chief executive officer Craig Masback said in a news release.

Agents and medical staff also will be subject to the new rules.

Coaches who choose not to register will not receive credentials for national championships, get stipends for training athletes or serve on national team coaching staffs.

Under current rules, coaches routinely receive credentials for national competitions and a coach for any athlete that ranks in the top 10 in the world in an event receives US$2,000 from the federation.

``We think this is a step in the right direction,'' said U.S. Olympic Committee spokesman Darryl Seibel, ``and it is an acknowledgment of the fact that responsibility and accountability must include not only an athlete but also his or her coach and agent.''

The new rules also mean athletes of unregistered coaches will not be promoted by USATF to the media and sponsors.

Hershey was embarrassed this year when it made a deal with Gatlin to appear at its youth championships. Just before the meet was held, news broke of the sprinter's positive test.

Medical personnel on national teams will have to pledge they never have promoted nor will aid athletes to use banned performance enhancers. Agents will be required to sign a form stating they have not ``nor will in the future counsel, encourage, aid or abet an athlete to use performing-enhancing substances.''

It has not been determined what penalties medical staff or agents would face if they lie, Geer said.