European Athletics President issues clarion call to all stakeholders ahead of publication of 2nd WADA Report
European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen has today written to all European Athletics stakeholders underlining the importance of integrity in wake of the current problems facing the sport.
In a detailed statement, Hansen writes that European Athletics will commit time and resources to the careful development of a number of proposals and initiatives intended to lead a needed cultural revolution in athletics. These include:
· Further developing Good Governance structures.
· Investing in a new values-based anti-doping education programme, mandatory for participation in any European Athletics event.
· Pushing IAAF and WADA to implement tougher penalties for doping offenses.
· Developing a national anti-doping system of assessment and monitoring
· Reviewing the European records, in line with the British Athletics proposal for world records.
To read President Hansen’s full statement 'Integrity in Athletics' please click here: http://bit.ly/1P0qFch
It comes after the release earlier this week of Hansen’s 2015 activity report, which is available here: http://bit.ly/1OdMS3a
European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen said, “Since I became president, we have started to work together on the many changes needed to transform our organisation, secure its future and help position ourselves for long-term success but we have also had to face some very serious challenges to our sport’s integrity and image.
“Like everyone in athletics, I am gravely concerned and saddened by the recent WADA report on systemic doping in Russia, the serious corruption allegations against some former IAAF officials and the other scandals that seem to surface on a daily basis. Although European Athletics has not been implicated in any way and these issues are not unique to athletics, the public image and reputation of our sport have been tarnished and this, of course, touches all of us.
“When the second WADA report is released, we will carefully study it and any recommendations it contains. If immediate comments are called for, we will make them. Then, in light of the report, we will take our time to review the projects and proposals we have put forward and make any adjustments or additions required.
“European Athletics’ ‘Your Sport for Life’ slogan has never been more important as a summary of what we believe and what we must fight for.
“We have full confidence that IAAF President Sebastian Coe is the right man for the current challenges, and European Athletics will give him the backing and support he needs.”