THERE was once a time when an international athletics event came round I’d be first in the queue to watch it.
I have fond memories of the Olympic games of 1980 and 1984 when Sebastian Coe entranced the world with his elegant running and won double Olympic gold over 1500 metres.
To go back further the 1960 games in Rome witnessed the wonderful Herb Elliott winning a superlative gold metal over 1500 metres, and the amazing Abebe Bikila winning the marathon in bare feet and becoming the first black African to win gold.
The recent World Championships has been a different matter, and try as I might, my enthusiasm for them was tepid to say the least.
The reason, quite simply, the issue of drug taking.
I found myself at every medal ceremony wondering if the winner was clear or a drugs cheat which is simply not right.
There must be severe action on drug taking, not least for the clean athletes, and also for the future of athletics.
Derek Parker, Bishop Auckland
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