‘Public opinion is going to move towards the view that all sport is corrupt,’ says Dick Pound after delivering Russia bombshell
Former Wada chief believes Russia is not the only country with a doping problem and athletics not the only sport with a doping problem
An international anti-doping commission recommended on Monday that the Russian Athletics Federation be banned from the sport over widespread doping offences - a move that could see the powerhouse Russian team banished from Olympic competition.
Here's what they said:
Dick Pound, former head of World Anti-Doping Agency and author of review: “It’s worse than we thought, it has the effect of factually affecting the results on the field and play and athletes, both in Russia and abroad, are suffering as a result. It maybe a residue of the old Soviet system ... they must stop it and make a new start.
“If they (Russia) do the surgery, and do the therapy, I hope they can get there (Rio de Janeiro) and compete. The idea is not to exclude people from the Olympics but, sometimes, that’s the price you pay. I hope they’ll say this is an opportunity to get rid of the old system, get rid of the old coaches and change their ways.