Jo Pavey says Russia's ban may have to encompass the Olympics
Last Updated: 14/11/15 1:49pm
Britain's European 10,000m champion Jo Pavey has backed the decision to provisionally suspend Russia from global track and field events.
And Pavey says the ban will need to remain in place for the Olympic Games in Rio next summer if that is what is needed to ensure possible dope cheats are not able to take part.
A World Anti-Doping Agency commission last week released a report containing allegations of a huge state-sponsored doping operation in Russia.
And the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) decided to suspend Russia on Friday night by a margin of 22 votes to 1.
Pavey told Sky Sports News HQ: "It is definitely the right decision at this stage to ensure that there are not cheats from that nation on the start line.
"It is absolutely shocking, in this day and age, that a nation would be systematically doping their athletes.
"At the moment, you certainly would not have any confidence in lining up on the start line with athletes from that country, when you hear what has actually been happening."
At this stage, that decision will have to remain, that they are banned, if that is what it takes to keep cheats from that nation out of the Olympic Games.
Jo Pavey
Although the ban is provisional, the Olympics are only nine months away and Pavey says it may have to remain in place.
"It is a very difficult one," she said. "At the moment you think that definitely needs to be the situation.
"When you have been cheated out of medals, you just feel so angry.
"If that is what it is going to take, to make sure there are not cheating athletes on the start line at the Olympics, then that is going to have to carry on being the case.
"As a clean athlete myself, I know what it is like training hard day-in, day-out.
"If there is a small percentage of athletes within Russia that are clean and they are going to have their dream of competing at an Olympic Games ruined, you have to have a bit of sympathy for them.
"They are suffering because of the cheats, as well as people from other nations.
"But, at this stage, that decision will have to remain, that they are banned, if that is what it takes to keep cheats from that nation out of the Olympic Games."
New IAAF president Lord Coe, a British Olympic great himself, has vowed that Russia will not return to the sport until they have enacted the changes required.
But the fact that he was an IAAF vice-president for eight years before taking charge has led some to question whether he is the man to tackle the crisis.
Pavey said: "Lord Coe is very passionate about our sport. He has expressed his shock, as much as anyone else.
"He has pledged to take all the necessary action and work on behalf of the clean athletes.
"It goes without saying that, to be near the top of an organisation, and not be aware of certain untoward activities within the organisation, does leave a situation where there could be questions to be answered. He has admitted that himself.
"Now he has come into this role and let's hope he can sort that out. He is passionate and let's hope he can move the sport forward.
"We want a brighter future for the sport, although there are probably more dark days ahead at this stage."
