coach d wrote:
Why do you not understand?
Coe, who apparently got his IAAF head job by hiring a man wanted by interpol to pay bribes, is from the UK.
The head of WADA, who did not find the UK head of IAAF to be noncompliant with the WADA Code despite bribes being taken to cover up positive doping results, is from the UK.
Kenya is from the UK Commonwealth
Jamaica, which got caught not doing any testing is from the UK Commonwealth
Those people are not banned because they are "good guys" from the UK.
Russia is not from the UK, so they are banned.
Oh, please!
So the UK is now dictating world sport? Don't be ridiculous. They don't have that sort of clout. Maybe 150 years ago, but not now.
Since Coe has been in there has been a lot of work in getting Jamaica and Kenya to introduce tougher, more rigorous and out of competition testing. Yes, there is still much to do, but you can't make them as structured as European countries in such a short space of time.
The spate of positive tests and the retesting of samples from the last 2 Olympics show that they are now taking testing as seriously as it should be, everywhere.
I know it's still pretty early in the season, but I've already noticed a drop in the standard of a lot of athletes from these countries. The problem is, there will always be other individuals from other countries who are also trying to beat the system.
I think banning Russian athletes from Rio is a brave and correct decision. If they hadn't done so, Coe and the IAAF would have been severely criticised on these boards for being weak and not doing enough to tackle doping. Yet they have banned them and still they are criticised, and we have ridiculous claims that Coe and the U.K are somehow in cahoots to ensure Britain and the Commonwealth are protected. It doesn't matter what Coe and the IAAF do, they can't win in the eyes of some.
There is a big difference between what Russia has done and the criticisms aimed at Kenya and Jamaica.
There is overwhelming evidence that the Russian state knew about endemic doping, encouraged it, probably initiated it in many cases, and covered and corrupted tests and samples. It was systematic state sponsored doping. What's more, and this is the crux of the issue which has led to the ban staying in place, they have done virtually nothing to sort their house out since November. They have shown incredible arrogance, prevented independent testers get access to athletes, and basically stuck two fingers up to the IAAF and the rest of the world. There has been many more positive tests coming out of Russia and several other claims and incidents that now need investigation.
Kenya have actually shown to be taking OOS testing more seriously, passing legislation in their govt, to meet the demands of the IAAF. Don't get me wrong. They haven't done enough and have a long way to go. I'm sure the IAAF will continue to monitor their progress. Their problem is down to individual agents and coaches allowing doping to take place, and their athletic federation turning a blind eye and not testing their athletes. They are not the ones going out and encouraging their athletes to dope and then covering up any positive results discovered, as the Russians are doing. There is a big difference.
Having said this, if the Kenyans, Jamaicans or any other nation is found to be not doing enough with OOS testing or not meeting IAAF standards, then they too should be sanctioned and their athletes suspended from competition for a period of time.