A group of German athletes, including the Olympic discus champion Robert Harting, have criticised the International Association of Athletics Federations in an online video following recent doping allegations. Harting, who refused to be considered for its 2014 athlete of the year award because the convicted doper Justin Gatlin was also in contention, appears in a video that begins “Dear IAAF, we cannot trust you any more, you damaged our sport, we have to act now”.
It comes after a series of damaging reports that suggest numerous athletes have recorded abnormal blood test results.
The German hammer thrower Kathrin Klaas, the 800m runner Robin Schembera and the discus thrower Julia Fischer all appear in the video which shows the athletes holding up messages such as: “You betrayed my beliefs” and “You put money over athletes”. Britain’s Greg Rutherford said in a tweet to Harting: “Great to see athletes finally standing up for us. Well done Rob, proud of you guys.”
The IAAF has responded to comments from the chief executive of the London Marathon, Nick Bitel, who said the world body had “failed to take effective action” following allegations of widespread abnormal blood scores. “The IAAF was surprised and extremely saddened by statements made by representatives of the London Marathon,” read a letter from the governing body. “This statement manages to be both outrageous and insulting at the same time.”
