Drug record makes Russia unsuitable host, says Dai Greene

DAI Greene has questioned Russia's right to stage the World Athletics Championships in the wake of a string of recent doping bans.

Dai Greene after winning gold in the 400m hurdles in September

DAI Greene has questioned Russia's right to stage the World Athletics Championships in the wake of a string of recent doping bans.

The 400 metres hurdles world champion is one of the most forthright anti-drug voices in the sport, and he suggested athletics needed to endure a cycling-like meltdown before it can be cleansed.

“They should not have the privilege of hosting the competition if they are not obeying the rules or the ethics of the sport,” he said when asked about the high number of Russian athletes serving bans.

“It's very disappointing to see it happening, but it almost has to get worse in terms of numbers getting caught until people say, ‘This is ridiculous’. Then we can turn the corner. Cycling has been through it and, with British success, it's blossomed again. We've had a fantastic Olympics, but now we go back to reality and it's always about drug cheats.”

Greene was speaking on the eve of tonight's Diamond League meeting in Rome, where he runs his first race since he finished fourth at the Olympics, a position that left him devastated. In the interim he has had a double hernia operation and locked his Olympic kit away with the bad memories.

However, he is still the world champion and would like to think his defence will not be marred by further drug stories.

“Russia has to look at things, but are they being caught because they are having a home World Championships?” This was typically blunt stuff from the Welshman, who has a refreshing way of cutting through the hype and excuses of modern sport.

With UK Athletics heading towards Moscow without a head coach after the departure of Peter Eriksson for personal reasons, Greene added that he would welcome back Charles van Commenee, Eriksson's predecessor.

“I respected him,” he said of the often controversial Dutchman. “He was a hard taskmaster, maybe too harsh with some people - you hear lots of stories - but I like the fact he took no nonsense. He gave the team backbone. We are in a difficult situation now with Peter leaving. I was happy with Charles in the first place, and so I would obviously be happy with him in that role.”

Greene is at least in Rome, but Jenny Meadows, the 800metres runner, said her season is over owing to a stress fracture to her femur, while Jessica Ennis-Hill has withdrawn from her seasonal debut in Edinburgh on Saturday. She has a stiff left Achilles, but hopes to be fit to contest the 100metres hurdles in Oslo next Thursday.

The Times