Campbell welcomes Europe call for new record ratification laws
ByReuters
Updated 03/05/2017 at 08:24 GMT
European Athletics' proposal to rewrite pre-2005 world records would be for the "greater good" according to former Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell.
Darren Campbell
Image credit: PA Photos
The organisation called for increased doping control measures in the new record ratification rules proposal on Monday which could also have an impact on existing marks.
And former sprinter Campbell, who could lose his 4x100m European record from 1999, believes the proposal is worth the sacrifice.
"I will sacrifice whatever it takes to save the sport and give its credibility back. I've thought about it, put myself in their shoes of losing a record and yes, I've lost medals and you kind of go, 'OK it's for the greater good'. You have to accept it and move on. Records are there to be broken and some of those records can't be broken unless you're taking drugs."
However, Campbell wants the authorities to build on the initial proposal, saying tougher laws must be implemented for the sport to move past the doping scandals.
And the former sprinter - who had European relay gold and World relay silver medals taken away due to team-mate Dwain Chambers' positive test - has asked to be shown evidence of how the proposals will make meaningful change before many hard-earned records are taken away.
"We need to know how it is going to save the sport. We don't want to end up right back here in 20 years," Campbell said. "It is radical, it is a recommendation, but tell me how it's going to save the sport? That is the important thing."
European Athletics will forward the proposal to the International Association of Athletics Federations which will study it at its Council meeting in August.
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