Like Ali, you don’t replace Usain Bolt

BIRMINGHAM: World athletics (IAAF) president, Sebastian Coe, has a special connect with the sport. He is still the only man to defend the Olympic 1,500m title (won gold in 1980 & 1984). He is still the third fastest ever in 800m. His 1981 world record stood for 16 years before Kenyan-born Dane, Wilson Kipketer, broke it, and was surpassed by Kenya’s David Rudisha at the 2012 London Olympics.

However, ‘Super’ Seb’s challenge is the fight against doping even while athletics looks for a new leader after Usain Bolt’s retirement. In this interview at the World Indoor Championships, the Briton spoke about the Therapeutic Use Exemption that critics say is misused by dope cheats, two Russians winning gold early in the competition and other issues. Excerpts:

With Usain Bolt having retired, how do you see athletics going forward?

If you’d been sitting here in the 70s, you’d have had the same question about Muhammad Ali. And you don’t replace Muhammad Ali. You don’t replace Usain Bolt. But great boxers did come along. We need athletes them to be more accessible. We need to make sure we are telling their stories properly.

How has athletics been pro gressing in the last 25 years?

In some instances there’s been a lot of change and in some not enough. Yes, records have clearly improved. But I have to be honest, my 800m time is still the third fastest and that was set in 1981. Some events have developed at a better and faster pace than others.

Will Brexit hurt UK’s chances to host events like this in future?

I sincerely hope not. Sport is quite an important vehicle. Politicians may suddenly see the world in a different way.

How proud are you to stage the championship in the UK?

I represent a global sport and I’m British and always proud when we stage events, and always relieved the events are well staged.

The first two gold medals of the championships went to Russians who are here as neutral athletes. Has the doping saga affected athletics?

In some instances there’s been a lot of change and in some not enough... Some events have developed at a better pace. On Athletics in last 25 years.

Yes, of course, because it was a very big problem -- we would not have suspended the Russian federation, we would not have created the task force. It was a very big issue for us to deal with, but I was pleased we have the neutral athletes here.

This has been an issue for a very long time. How to tackle it?

First of all, it’s not just an athletics problem. We’ve been dealing with this as a global challenge for many, many years. What I think will make a big difference is the creation of the Athletics Integrity Unit. It created independence; it removes national federations from the process, which is important.

Is Therapeutic Use Exemption good or could it be dangerous?

If it’s abused, it’s dangerous. But we have to accept that we want athletes who have the kind of ailments you guys might have to compete properly.