Former Olympic triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards says IAAF president Sebastian Coe is the right man to restore athletics’ credibility – but warned it will take time.
The image of the sport has been tarnished following newspaper revelations revealing high levels of suspect blood test results.
They were published prior to August’s World Championships where Justin Gatlin, having returned to action following a four-year ban, was favourite to win gold only to be denied by Usain Bolt in the 100 and 200m.
– IPC: Four more medals for Hammadi’s collection
– On the Radar – November 2-7: Beach Soccer, Electric Run
Edwards feels athletics is in the same position as cycling was in 2012 following the Lance Armstrong scandal.
“I feel the credibility of the sport is on the line,” said the 49-year-old, who was in Abu Dhabi yesterday for the nomination ceremony of the Sport Media Pearl Awards.
“We’ve seen in cycling what they’ve been through and athletics is going through a similar process.
“Certainly, cleaning the image is the most important thing for him (Coe) and he will want to get athletics back on track. It’s a tough challenge. It will take time but I think he’s the right person to do that.”
He added: “He has already set out his agenda when he was first appointed in having an independent doping organisation to help catch cheats.”
Now a commentator following his retirement in 2003, Edwards expressed sympathy for Gatlin, a two-time doper who was castigated at the Worlds this summer.
“He’s come back and has done incredibly well,” he said.
“If you let drug cheats come back into athletics again, who’ve tested positive for banned substances, then you have to accept that they might win and not get upset with it.”
Twenty years on, Edwards’ world record of 18.29m at the 1995 World Championships, still stands. That record was nearly broken in Beijing as Christian Taylor jumped 18.21m en route to his second world title.
“On the right day, he’s surely cap-able of breaking my world record,” he added.
“He’s a lovely guy. It will be disappointing, it’s nice to be the world record holder, but if Taylor does it, I’d happily pass the baton.”