PRIMO NEBIOLO, the president of the International Amateur Athletics Federation, touched off some alarm bells in Dublin yesterday when asked to comment on the fragile relationship between the federation and the International Olympic Committee.

Questioned on the primacy of two of the biggest power brokers in international sport and about the implementation of the rules on the apparel worn in Olympic competition, the ageing Italian started out by restating IAAF policy, that they exercised total control.

Then, unwillingly it seemed, he lost his way in a protracted response and appeared to be guilty of a volte face which extracted gulps of astonishment from those in attendance.

With the scars of the recent Sonia O'Sullivan incident still painfully raw, BLE officials were incredulous when Nebiolo, who is also a member of the IOC, indicated at one point that the Olympic body had the final say.

The sense of disbelief was shared by those sitting with the president at the top table and minutes after the press conference ended, Istvan Gyulai, the IAAF's general secretary, sought out journalists to clarify the position.

Hinting that Nebiolo had misunderstood the question, he said: "The rule is clear - there are no grey areas in the matter. The IAAF, through the national federations, retains the right to specify the clothing to be worn by athletes in Olympic competition.

"We have been mandated by a world congress to insist that this rule is upheld during all Olympic Games - and there is no deviation from that decision."

Earlier, Nebiolo said prizemoney would be introduced at the world indoor and outdoor championships next season. He dismissed suggestions that Athens would not be in a position to host the outdoor games, scheduled to be staged in August.