GREENSBORO, N.C. -- USA Track & Field chief executive Craig Masback presented a zero-tolerance drug testing plan Thursday, urging federation members to approve a lifetime ban for steroid cheaters for the good of the sport.

The proposal was approved unanimously by USATF's board of directors Wednesday and is to be voted on by the full membership Sunday, the final day of the annual meeting.

"Make no mistake about it, the issue of drugs in our sport undermines all of your hard work, sacrifice, and achievements," Masback said at the opening session of the group's annual meeting.

Two-thirds must approve the change to USATF's bylaws that would impose a lifetime ban and fines for first-time steroid cheaters -- and their coaches.

Masback told USATF members he would welcome suggestions over the next three days for improving the group's anti-doping efforts.

"But, on Sunday we need your support for a slate of bylaws changes that will empower the athletes and coaches who are achieving success honestly to rid our sport of those who try to succeed via cheating," he said.

The USATF proposal follows this summer's discovery of the previously undetectable steroid THG and a controversy surrounding Jerome Young, who was allowed to run on the United States' gold medal-winning 1,600-meter relay team in the 2000 Olympics, despite a positive 1999 steroid test.

The IOC, U.S. Olympic Committee and the IAAF, the international federation governing track and field, have criticized USATF's handling of the Young case.

Young was cleared to compete in the 2000 Games and USATF has said it is prevented from discussing the case by an arbitration ruling that protects anonymity in all drug cases from 1996 to 2000.

Four U.S. athletes tested positive for THG this summer at the U.S. track and field championships at Stanford, Calif. The drug has been linked to the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative, or BALCO, a California lab that supplied nutritional supplements to some of the nation's top athletes.

The USATF has budgeted $175,000 to initiate its zero-tolerance program in 2004. Testing and appeals would continue to be conducted by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Masback said the proposal is "not about gimmickry or PR spin. It is an effective program of deterrence, punishment, and education based on a set of realistic and achievable goals."