World Athletics chief appreciates AFI for tough anti-doping stand

He also hailed the federation for keeping the sport active during COVID-19 pandemic.

World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe appreciated Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for its tough stand against doping and improving its athletes' performances in a number of events.

Addressing the valedictory session of the AFI annual general meeting on Sunday via video conferencing from London, World Athletics chief said that he was absolutely delighted to see the progress that India is making internationally in its performances in not just one or two events but across the broad spectrum.

“The tough stand that you are taking in doing everything you can to eradicate the scourge of doping. These are challenging issues in challenging times. I am delighted that you, like many member federations of World Athletics, are not hiding from these challenges,” said Lord Coe.

Lord Coe, who led a delegation of World Athletics to Tokyo recently, said he saw cast-iron determination to stage the Olympic Games next year. The Olympian remarked, “There probably will be a greater adaptation, they probably will demand more from your teams than we have seen at an Olympic Games before, but please reassure your athletes as they enter preparation stages that there is a determination to stage the Olympic Games in Tokyo.”

He congratulated Olympians Adille J. Sumariwalla and Anju Bobby George for being elected unopposed as AFI President for the third successive term and Senior Vice President respectively. “It is my pleasure to welcome you back in your position, Adille,” said Lord Coe, noting that the annual general meetings were an important part of the calendar for any member federation.

The 64-year-old stated that despite huge uncertainties, World Athletics had done well in the traumatic months in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said, “World Athletics has made some brave decisions in facing many challenges. AFI has played an essential role in these times.”

On the concluding day of the annual general meeting, all state associations made presentations with a sharp focus on growing transparency and accountability for the development of the sport in their respective areas. AFI also resolved to make every effort to ensure that some competitions could be resumed soon when learning to adapt to the current uncertainties.