IAAF: In An Awful Fix?

Published: Aug. 15, 2015, 10:57 a.m.

The election of the new president of the IAAF, athletics world governing body, will take place next week against the backdrop of more allegations of doping. So what is wrong with the IAAF? In his only BBC interview, Olympic champion Robert Harting speaks to Sportshour about how he has lost faith in the organisation, and Don Catlin, one of the world’s most famous anti-doping testers, gives his views on what the IAAF needs to do to regain the sport’s integrity. We also hear from both presidential candidates, Lord Sebastian Coe and Sergey Bubka. Costly Kit Conflict: “They said it was MY decision not to go. That’s absolute bull! I did everything required of me.” In his only BBC interview American 800m runner Nick Symmonds has told Sportshour about his conflict with USA Track and Field over what kit he can wear and when. As a result the 2013 silver medalist has been dropped by the USA for the World Athletics Championships in Beijing. World’s Toughest Horse Race: The Mongol Derby is billed as the longest and toughest horse race in the world. The 1000km course recreates Genghis Khan's legendary empire-busting postal system, with riders using a different semi-wild horse every 40km, and living with herders .or camping under the stars! So what does it take to win it? We speak to The South African Byeronie Epstein who has just won this year’s event Greg Norman: A Quickfire Round You'll never guess who his perfect playing partners are?! Greg Norman answers our quickfire questions and discusses the CIA, sportsmanship and the choice between red and white! French Right Wing: It's a well-worn phrase "Politics and sport just don't mix". One small football club in France - Beaucaire - would agree. Their budget has been cut by the Mayor belonging to the right-wing National Front party. The club claim it’s because they have lots of ethnic minority players in their squad. So is it racist politics from far-right politicians, or just a necessary step, given the continuing economic uncertainty around the world? Sporting Witness… Using archive recordings, we tell the story of Jesse Owens's four gold medals at the controversial Olympic Games in Berlin in August 1936. (Photo: Photo: Robert Harting of Germany celebrates winning gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Credit: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)