Athletes denied a medal at next year’s Olympics in Rio will have a special ceremony to recognise their achievements, according to the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
At present, there is no formal system to redistribute medals once athletes are disqualified but the Wada president Sir Craig Reedie has promised they will be allowed their “moment in the sun”.
“We are going to make sure that, when the medals are re-awarded, they are presented properly,” said Reedie, who is also the vice-president of the International Olympic Committee.
Jamaica’s Danielle Williams, who won the women’s 100 metres hurdles gold medal at the World Championships in August, has welcomed the move.
“Hopefully I will never be in that position, but I actually do think that’s a good idea,” she told the BBC’s World Service.
“One of the best moments of winning was standing on the podium and hearing my national anthem play and seeing my flag raised.
“So I could definitely understand that an athlete who didn’t get that chance would love it. I would support that.”
