After months of campaigning, Sebastian Coe and Sergey Bubka go to the polls today knowing that the new global Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president will need to go straight to work to convince the public that track and field’s governing body can properly tackle the scourge of doping.
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Ukraine pole vault great Bubka, a former Olympic and world championship gold medalist and long-time world-record holder, retained his position as a vice president in a subsequent poll.
He replaces Lamine Diack, who stood down after 16 years.
Paula Radcliffe believes that the future of athletics is in “good hands” after Lord Sebastian Coe was elected IAAF president.
The 58-year-old Briton will have to face accusations that the body failed to tackle, or even covered up, widespread doping in some of the world’s most prestigious competitions.
German broadcaster ARD and Britain’s The Sunday Times newspaper reported earlier this month that one-third of medals in endurance races at the Olympics and world championships were won by athletes who have recorded suspicious blood readings.
Among those in Beijing as part of Coe’s back room team are Hugh Robertson, the former Conservative MP who was minister for sport and the Olympics during the London 2012 Games.
“I know athletics will grow and become stronger”, Bubka said. “This is my life”.
Coe, the British Olympic champion runner who helmed the successful London 2012 Summer Games, is considered the narrow favourite for the presidency ahead of Bubka, the Ukrainian pole-vault great. “I will continue to serve athletics with dignity and big passion as I did before”.
Athletics has been rocked by doping allegations in recent weeks and by suggestions the IAAF does not do enough to tackle the problem. Asked what needs to change in the world of athletics, Farah said: “In my opinion, if we all did what we do in the UK in terms of how we do testing, if every country applied to that rule, it would change dramatically”.
He only alluded to the new organisation in his address to Congress.
“Of course I’m seeking your trust and support to lead this sport, but not to do it alone”, he said.
Farah, though, has backed Coe as the right man for the job.
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The IAAF said it tested all athletes at the last two Worlds because it was establishing the information needed to produce a blood passport, which had proved a useful resource in the fight against doping.
