Athletes and National Federations Take Sides on New Proposal to Change the World Records Process

By Adam Kopet, DyeStat Editor

The world of track and field has taken sides over a proposal from European Athletics that would radically alter the sport's world records.

In short, the proposal would require athletes who set records to have been tested regularly in the leadup to the performance. Further, post performance samples would need to be saved for 10 years for additional testing at a later date.

However, the proposal goes further than simply changing how future records will be ratified. It applies to all performances, including those from the past.

The IAAF did not begin saving doping control samples until 2005. That would mean all records from before 2005 would be erased from the books. The marks would remain on all-time lists, but they would no longer be record eligible.

It has been two days since European Athletics first announced the proposal and it has already become a polarizing topic in the press and on social media. Both athletes and national federations are choosing sides.

To begin with, European Athletics president Svein Arne Hansen is the largest proponent. IAAF president Sebastian Coe has also shown his support, providing enough support for the proposal to move forward.

Athletics New Zealand has thrown its support behind the proposal. One beneficiary of the world records change is Valarie Adams, one of the best women's shot putters of all-time. Meanwhile, Athletics Australia has refused to back the change.

Among athletes, former British greats, including Paula Radcliffe, Colin Jackson and Jonathan Edwards have been vocal critics. American Al Joyner, former athlete and now coach, has also been critical of the proposal. Both his former wife, Florence Griffith Joyner, and his sister, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, would stand to lose their records under the proposal.

In contrast, defending 200-meter world champion Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands supports the European Athletics proposal. She currently stands as the third fastest 200-meter runner of all-time and would gain the world record under the plan.

USATF has yet to take sides, wanting to see the topic studied before further action is taken.

The concept of changing the records process is not new. The idea of wiping away the old records and starting fresh has been brought up many times. What this proposal is trying to do is restore credibility to track and field records.

There is little doubt that there are tainted records. The longer the record has stood, the less credible it is. At the same time, the European Athletics proposal hurts clean athletes who have played by the rules.

"It's not our fault that over the years the sport did not police itself correctly," Steve Cram, former 1,500-meter world champion, told BBC Sport as reported by Inside the Games.

Athletes who set records and played by the rules would be lumped in with the cheaters if the proposal is ratified.

Further, it needs to be noted that the current anti-doping system is still a work in progress. Russia is currently serving a suspension for state sponsored doping. Kenya, too, has had recent issues with performance enhancing drug use.

Steve Magness, the cross country and distance track coach at the University of Houston, took to Twitter to express his thoughts, believing the sport is not yet ready for such a bold move.

The IAAF is expected to discuss the proposal at the IAAF Council Meeting in August. Should the Council decide to implement the plan, it could take up to 12 months to enact.

"It's not going to stop people cheating," Cram said.