The two leading anti-doping experts have issued statements today which we encourage you to read in full here:http://www.letsrun.com/news/2016/01/anti-doping-experts-michael-ashenden-robin-parisotto-issue-statements-response-wada-ic-report-men-willing-let-seb-coe-lead-iaaf-moving-forward/We have put the following quote from Ashenden up as QOD on the front page.
Ashenden wrote:
“I accept the IAAF would have faced a very difficult path if they ran cases before 2009. However, I respectfully sugest that if USADA’s decision whether to pursue Lance Armstrong was equally timid in the face of “likelihood of success, the efffects of losing an appeal and the costs of litigationâ€, Armstrong would still be a seven times Tour de France champion.
“That said, after reading the report my view on the IAAF has changed. I was heartened to learn that the WADA experts reported to the Independent Commission that the IAAF took “commendable†action against suspicious blood values. But I was especially heartened to learn there were staff within the organisation who seemed to fight for justice in the face of obstruction by their superiors.
“Perhaps now is the time to lower cudgetls and give the IAAF an opportunity to make good on its promises to reform. With the caveat that the IAAF adopt each and every IC recommendation, especially that they provide any necessary support for the relocation and employment of Vitaly Stepanov and Yulia Stepanova, then I am willing to join Dick Pound in crossing my fingers in hope that Lord Coe will deliver on his promise.â€