Athletics Ireland are deeply concerned about the allegations of suspected widespread doping in elite athletics over many years made in a documentary broadcast on the German ARD/WRD network and published by the Sunday Times this weekend but welcome it as an opportunity for athletics to continue its battle against doping.
Athletics Ireland CEO John Foley said:
"Athletics Ireland believes in a zero tolerance policy for doping and we are fully committed alongside the Irish Sports Council (ISC) to enforce the the rules. Athletics Ireland shares the concerns expressed by the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and we call on the IAAF, as the world governing body for the sport, to clarify the situation as soon as possible.
"Our record for tackling doping stands for itself down through the years. Ireland are at the forefront of testing athletes and we stand confidently over the drug testing programme administered by the ISC which sees athletics as the most tested sport in Ireland. We have a fantastic sport which is growing annually in Ireland and we want to ensure that all the stakeholders in our sport are committed to a clean environment for our athletes."
Athletics Illustrated
BBC Sport
IAAF Statement on Anti Doping Allegations
Video from German television. HERE