UK Athletics chief shuns ‘medals at all costs’ mentality

LONDON: UK Athletics’ new chief executive Joanna Coates does not want “medals at all costs” as she tries to steer the organisation through a turbulent period.

UK Athletics recently published the results of an independent review into the handling of Mo Farah’s controversial former coach Alberto Salazar, which prompted performance director Neil Black to leave his role last year. US coach Salazar was banned for four years in October after being found guilty of doping violations following an investigation by the USADA.

The Nike Oregon Project was used as a training base by four-time Olympic champion Farah between 2011 and 2017. Farah’s relationship with Salazar has come under the microscope but there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the British long-distance runner.

There was criticism of UK Athletics’ failure to step in and Coates wants to restore trust in the organisation after a separate review by UK Sport was launched.“The opportunity to change a sport and make people proud of it again is something I couldn’t resist,” she told the Sunday Telegraph. “The board has given me the remit to make changes to ensure this organisation gets back to where it should be.