According to press agency AAP, Dick Pound - the Chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) - alluded to the possibility of instilling more vigorous punishments upon those who use drugs for 'systematic cheating' and a lessening of the bans handed down to those who use stimulants of a more recreational nature.

In other words, Pound wants to come down harder on those who abuse drugs such as performance-enhancing steroids, whilst drugs such as cannabis, and even cocaine, might not be strictly considered as doping offences anymore.

Pound, who was discussing the WADA review at a conference in Switzerland, said: "We are trying not to weaken our stance, but we feel a bit awkward imposing a two-year ban on someone who, when all is said and done, has not been doping."

The review is set for release in November only.

Former rugby league ace Sailor was slapped with a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine following a Super 14 match for the NSW Waratahs against the Brumbies last year and finally withdrew his appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in December 2006.

Sailor still has 14 months to go on his ban.

When the AAP mentioned Pound's comments, Sailor expressed disbelief: "Now they are? Can you make sure that I'm not standing somewhere because I'll probably hit the roof in a moment."

However, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) said he could not expect any appeal hearing to consider possible changes to the code in the future - even if they had been endorsed publicly by Pound.

"That (WADA) review will not effect athletes in Australia who are currently serving a sanction for an anti-doping rule violation," said ASADA in a statement.

A WADA spokesperson, however, did confirm that Sailor had the option of re-launching an appeal to the CAS if he wished.

Sailor added: "I'd have to have a look at it, I'd have to talk to my lawyer. At the moment it could be just talk.

"This is the first year that I haven't done my pre-season so it starts to hit home a bit now, so I'd have to have a look at it but I just know last year I was bashing my head up against a brick wall.

"You can only fight so much and it just drains you and that's what it was doing to me and my family so I'd have to have a serious think about it.

"We presented our case... and we just got the door shut in our face, at the end of the day you can only take so much."

Pound's comments may have vaguely lifted Sailor's hopes, but it appears he will have to go some if he is to overturn his suspension.

"In light of recent claims that the international drug trade in sports drugs... is now bigger than that of heroin, cocaine and cannabis, now more than ever it is imperative to review laws that govern drugs in sport," ASADA said.