Coe advocates four-year ban for doping offenders

Nov 20: Delhi and London sign a partnership agreement to share each other’s expertise in solving and tackling various issues relating to urban governance.

Double Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe strongly advocated of bringing the four-year ban for doping violators, as they should know the consequences of using banned substances to enhance their performance while cheating everybody.

The 1500m gold medallist of the 1980 Moscow and 1984 Los Angeles Olympics believes, “I don’t care if the careers of banned athletes are cut short by execution of the new code.”

“It is up to the athletes to make out a decision, as whether to compete as a clean sportsperson or face the consequence if caught,” he added.

However, Coe, who is also the Chairman of the FIFA Ethics Committee pressed hard that there should be zero tolerance for doping.

The revised anti-doping code will come into effect from January 1, 2009; support for longer bans than the current two-year suspension in and also insists to bar banned players from practicing with their teams during that period.

Coe is the chairman of the London Games Organising Committee and presently in the city as part of a delegation headed by London Mayor, Ken Livingstone. London and Delhi have entered into an agreement here on Monday to share each other’s expertise in solving and tackling various issues relating to urban governance.

It will include transport, education, environment, sports promotion, city tourism, economic affairs and business related activities.

Both the cities signed a partnership agreement. Delhi’s Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit signed the agreement on behalf of her city, while Mayor of London Ken Livingstone signed it on behalf of London.

The London mayor also opened an office in Delhi namely “London India Office”, as it would work to promote business, culture and tourism between the two cities. Mayor is quite hopeful about Delhi getting the Olympics after successfully hosting the Commonwealth Games.

CM Dikshit said that preparations for the 2010 Commonwealth Games is on the right track, though it is not visible. She admitted that traffic has been a major problem in the city but it is same with all the big cities.

Mayor Livingstone is very much intimidated by the different practicing religions in Delhi that too without any conflict. “Not only London but the whole world needs tolerance and peace,” he said.

Later in the day, middle distance legend Coe went to the practice arena at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium and had an interaction with young athletes giving them a few tips on the appropriate way of training. He also ran and exercised with them to boost the morale of upcoming athletes.