IAAF President Lord Coe Emphasizes Zero Tolerance Stance On Drug Cheats

Lord's Coe's biggest challenge is to tackle doping in athletics

Lord Coe has warned Russian athletes that he is committed to ridding the sport of drug cheats. The doping crisis engulfing athletics is the biggest challenge facing the new president of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

There have been widespread allegations of systematic doping among Russian competitors and Coe, on a visit to Moscow, emphasized his zero-tolerance approach.

"This has been a very productive visit to Moscow," said Coe.

Press Association report continues:

"I was able to meet and interact directly with Russian athletes, coaches and officials, and I appreciated their openness, passion for our sport and noted a real appetite for change. I also felt a very strong support for our plans to modernize athletics.

"I expressed my uncompromising position on the issue of doping in athletics and the importance for the sport to build trust and defend clean athletes at all times."

During his visit to the Russian capital, Coe met with Russia's minister of sport Vitaliy Mutko and Russian Olympic Committee president and International Olympic Committee member Alexander Zhukov.

Coe has pledged set up an independent anti-doping agency for the sport.