Can Sebastian Coe restore fans' faith in athletics?

There's lots at play in Beijing and for track and field, arguably the world's foundation sport, there is plenty on the line.

Namely, the faith of the fans. 

As middle distance legend Sebastian Coe assumes control as president of the IAAF (International Association of Athletic Federations), he faces issues about the universality of the sport and, more importantly, about its integrity. 

Coe has spent the majority of his time in Beijing answering questions about the gathering storm of another drug scandal. This storm strikes close to his heart, as it involves alleged widespread cheating in the distance events.

The findings of a study, recently leaked to the British and German media, suggest that one third of all medals won at world championships and Olympic Games between 2001 and 2012 — including 55 gold medals — were won by athletes who have recorded suspicious blood tests. Further, the charge has been made that the IAAF has endeavoured to sweep this revelation under the carpet.

"There is one set of criticisms that I don't accept," Coe told me in an interview at Bird's Nest, Beijing's national athletics stadium. "That is that we have been sitting on our hands.

"We are not complicit.

"What I do accept is that we have a global challenge and we need to make sure the athletes — the clean athletes — know we're in their corner and that systems are uniform around the world and that the sanctions are uniform."

The incoming president, twice an Olympic champion himself, even suggested that track and field must do a better job of being master of its own destiny. 

"My instinct is that we need to introduce more independence into the system as the next phase of our journey," Coe stressed.

The athletes are anxiously awaiting results on this front.

Integrity of sport at stake

Canadian women's marathon record holder Lanni Marchant, who ran the 10,000 metres here in Beijing, is cautiously optimistic about Coe's arrival at the top. 

"I feel like he's having more dialogue," she said. "It doesn't seem as though it's as hush hush as it was previously and he's coming in when it's a hot topic. Hopefully he comes in and decides to clean it up or at least be more vocal about the change we want to see in our sport.

Marchant has qualified in the 10,000m for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, her first, and hopes to run a fast fall marathon in order to make the standard in that event as well. She was disappointed at not having the chance to compete at London 2012 although she believed she was good enough. And Marchant admits there are many occasions when she feels the field of play isn't level. 

I'm now sitting in a position to shape the future of my sport- IAAF president Sebastian Coe

"For sure there are times when you know you are lining up against those who don't believe in the spirit of fair play," she  said, shrugging. 

"For me the biggest thing is the integrity of our sport. It might be ugly what track and field is going through right now, but if we want to protect the integrity of our sport then we need the ugliness to come out." 

As far as Marchant is concerned, only full disclosure can lead to a restoration of faith in track and field.

"Athletes want to believe that when someone has a fantastic and amazing performance at a world championship or Olympic event that it is the magic of sport at work and not the magic of something that's been cooked up in a lab somewhere."

Coe is fully aware that the athletes are expecting a lot from him, and that means taking action on the doping front.

Indications are he welcomes the challenge.

"I'm now sitting in a position to shape the future of my sport,"he said enthusiastically. "It's the number one sport in the world. It's been my passion. I've woken up most days in the last 50 years knowing in some way or another track and field is going to shape my day. It's a dream come true."