RIO DE JANEIRO — With drug controversy still looming over the sport of athletics in the wake of the Olympic and Paralympic bans on Russia, it is clear the work of governing bodies like the IAAF and IOC to restore the integrity of the sport will be an ongoing challenge.
Chair of the IOC 2024 Evaluation Commission and member of the IAAF, Frankie Fredericks, says that under new president, Sebastian Coe, the governing body is working at implementing new reforms and investing more money in making sure the playing field is level, and hopes the people can, "give them a chance."
"There's always going to be people trying to take a short cut," Fredericks said. "For the athletes that are not taking drugs we have to make sure that they believe in the system, and for the ones that are taking drugs, we have to make sure we have a strong stance."
With the drug ban on Russia being the first of its kind in Olympic history and measures such as retroactive drug testing now in place, the four-time Olympic medalist says the IAAF has entered a "new generation" where firmer stances on doping will be taken. He also says successful clean athletes will be an integral part of the rebuilding process.
"Usain Bolt is obviously somebody that we needed," Fredericks said. "He's won so many medals and he's clean. Allyson Felix as well. It is now up to the next generation of athletes such as Andre De Grasse and everybody else to come up and do it clean and not try to take a short cut. That's where our credibility is lying."
As far as the future of the men's 100-metres event goes, the Namibian who finished second to Donovan Bailey at the 1996 Olympic Games says Usain Bolt's impending retirement will put "a lot of pressure" on De Grasse and other top young sprinters to step up to the plate.
"We have to see if the Canadian [De Grasse] can step into Bailey's footsteps," Fredericks remarked. "He's already done quite well but until he wins a gold medal he will never reach the level of notoriety that Donovan has."
With Bolt having confirmed he will be competing at next year's world championships in London, Fredericks sees it as an opportunity for the young Canadian and other top sprinters to show the world what they are made of.
"We know De Grasse has the strength [and] endurance, so we'll see what happens in London next year," Fredericks said. "Usain is talking about retiring, so maybe one of these young guys can take the throne from him rather than him giving it away."
Andre De Grasse is where track and field's 'credibility' lies
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