John Treacy: Russia beyond repair to compete in Rio

John Treacy believes there is no way that Russia can clean up its house after the recent doping scandal that engulfed its athletics body in time for the Olympic Games and has called on the IAAF to be “courageous” in deciding whether they should be allowed compete in Brazil.

David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), revealed yesterday that Treacy has contacted him in the past to ask about sanctions for suspected rogue states, but Ireland’s 1984 Olympic silver medallist was still left shocked at the extent of the Russian doping revelations.

Accusations of state-supported, systematic doping revealed a problem far greater and more entrenched than even the greatest sceptics imagined. Treacy has insisted that the time has come for sporting bodies to prioritise those athletes who will seek to compete clean in Rio de Janeiro.