IAAF President Seb Coe Will Take on Responsibility of Restoring Athletics’ Reputation

International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) president Seb Coe has admitted that the sport’s credibility is on the line after the doping report released by the Independent Commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on Monday.

The WADA report recommended the IAAF to ban the Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) from competition following the results of its investigation. 

Coe has given the ARAF until the end of the week to respond to WADA report. 

Speaking via conference call, Coe said: “The allegations are deeply shocking and alarming and I accept that the sport’s credibility is on the line.”

The IAAF president has also said he is prepared to deal the criticism that is coming his way for the organisation’s handling of doping accusations.

Earlier this year Coe described accusations of doping as a “declaration of war” following the report by German broadcaster ARD.

Explaining those comments in an interview with UK broadcaster Channel 4, Coe said: “Those words I used referred to the selective use of data to besmirch the reputation of clean athletes. It was never criticism of any news or media group.

“I actively welcomed the (Russian) investigation (by German broadcaster ARD) and made the point at the time that if they did not trust the organisation (IAAF), to hand over the information to Wada.”

When he was named president in August, Coe praised the work of outgoing president Lamine Diack, who is now facing criminal charges for taking bribes to cover up the doping involving the Russians.

“I recognise that I am going to come in for some criticism,” Coe added. “But as Dick Pound actually said, I share his sentiments, I’m completely shocked.

“Dick Pound said very clearly that this was not IAAF policy — it was rogue individuals who have infiltrated the IAAF and if there are failings in our governance or our anti-doping programme I will fix them.”

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