Coe Still Right Man to Lead Athletics, Says WADA After Damning Doping Report

By Christian Radnedge

WADA’s independent commission chair Richard Pound believes Seb Coe is still the right man to lead the IAAF, despite the Briton previously attacking the doping allegations made by the media.

In August, not long after being elected as the new president of the IAAF, Coe labelled doping allegations reported by German broadcaster ARD and the Sunday Times as a “declaration of war” on his sport of athletics.

However, WADA’s independent commission released their report on Monday in Geneva which found “overwhelming proportions of allegations made on the ARD programme” to be true – and they recommended that Russia be suspended from all athletics competitions.

Despite his previous comments, Pound was still confident that Coe could lead athletics into a new era.

“I think so [Coe is right man],” Pound said. “I think you have to draw a line between pre-election and post-election conduct and sayings.

“I think Seb Coe is someone who can grasp this and be transformational enough to bring changes. The sport is at risk if not.”

Coe said on Sunday that it was “dark days” for athletics, but insisted that he was not complicit in any cover up.

Coe said: “I’m just angry. I’m angry about the position our sport is in today. I’m shocked and dismayed.

“These are dark days. We shouldn’t kid ourselves. It’s going to be a long way back to rebuilding trust.

“I’m never saying never [to banning Russia], but my instinct is that these things are better changed through engagement not isolation.”

Coe’s predecessor Lamine Diack was accused of taking bribes in exchange for supressing knowledge of suspect drug tests.

Subject to his investigation by French authorities, the International Olympic Committee recommended the suspension of Diack’s position as honorary IOC member.

Police agency Interpol announced that it is to coordinate a global investigation led by France into an alleged international corruption scam involving sports officials as well as athletes suspected of a doping cover-up.

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