by Larry Eder
Seb Coe, photo by PhotoRun.net
MONACO (MON): IAAF President Sebastian Coe has vowed he will not be swayed by outside pressure when making a decision about whether or not to ban Russia following allegations of “state-sponsored” doping. “There’s a lot of static around on a lot of things at the moment,” Coe was quoted by insidethegames. “I can’t spend my time second guessing or judging what people are saying. I can only put the processes in place. I have asked the Russian Athletics Federation to respond to the allegations. I’m not interested in the politics.” If they fail to do so the IAAF’s ruling Council still plan to decide what action to take during an emergency meeting due to be held this weekend. Informs insidethegames.
Editor’s note: Ironically, last summer, as I went to several meets in Europe, I recall several friends of Seb Coe wondering out loud if he really wanted to be president of the IAAF. What they meant was, was Seb Coe ready to deal with the acknowleged absolute pile of junk that was about to befall the sport?
I am not sure many knew it would be this bad, but I have to admit, I believe that Seb Coe possesses the skill set to make the changes the sport needs to clean up its national federations and itself.
The recent Channel 4 (UK) interview was British media at its worst and best. The questions were going to come, and much worse is on the way, I believe. Seb Coe stayed on task, and noted that until he became President, he could not affect change.
And he is right. But there is enough blame to go around for all. A recent conversation with some keen observers of sport, and I wonder if shoe companies might change their approaches on performance bonuses, going from fast times to top performances in championships?
Four days after the Independent commission and the dust has not settled.
