We had the World Championships in Beijing a few months ago which threw up a wonderful world record in decathlon by American Ashton Eaton, but all that athletics seems to be talking about as the year drew to a close has been the massive doping in the sport and a large-scale cover-up by its officials.
In fact, there was talk doing the rounds that the scale of doping in athletics could be far bigger than the financial scandals engulfing football’s world body FIFA.
And with the story getting murkier with the unfolding of each chapter, there is clearly a danger of athletics surpassing football on this front.
A slideshow of the defining moments in athletics in 2015.
FILE - In this Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 file photo, Russia's national drug-testing laboratory in Moscow, is photographed. Russia has been suspended from track and field after the World Anti-Doping Agency found systemic abuses. The investigation has dominated the opening months of Sebastian Coe's presidency of the International Association of Athletics Federations. Russia's track and field athletes could miss the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next August. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin, File)
FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015 file photo, then President of the International Association of Athletics Federations Lamine Diack speaks during the press conference at the IAAF Congress at the National Convention Center in Beijing. Newspaper Le Monde says former IAAF President Lamine Diack told French police he asked for 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) from Russia to help finance the political opposition in his native Senegal. The request came at a time when the IAAF was dealing with a slew of Russian doping cases. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
Ashton Eaton of the U.S. poses for photographs after winning the men's decathlon and breaking the world record during the 15th IAAF Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, August 29, 2015. REUTERS/Phil Noble
Jamaica's Usain Bolt crosses the finish line as Jamaica wins the men's 4x100m relay final at the World Athletics Championships at the Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)
Dafne Schippers of Netherlands celebrates winning the women's 200 metres final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China August 28, 2015. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - AUGUST 16: Silver medalist Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar on the podium for the Men's High Jump during Day Seven of the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships Moscow 2013 at Luzhniki Stadium at Luzhniki Stadium on August 16, 2013 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
COMMents
Comments
SHARE