Good thing that cheats are being caught: Powell

Mumbai: Former world champion long jumper Mike Powell feels that it is a blessing in disguise that athletes who are using banned drugs are being caught by the regulatory authorities.

"If you look at it, it`s a good thing. It shows we are taking this seriously. Athletics is one of the few sports which is willing to burst its stars. As of now, if you try to use something now you are taking a big, big risk," Powell, currently the brand ambassador of the world athletics body IAAF told reporters.Six track and field athletes, including two Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medallists Mandeep Kaur and Sini Jose, flunked dope tests for anabolic steroids in just two days. "Athletics is at the forefront of any sport in the world as far as taking control to eliminate performance enhancing drugs. It`s a necessary evil. We have to do it. I know for sure the culture is a lot different now," the 47-year-old Philadelphian said.The IAAF signed a 10-year deal with realty firm Nirmal Lifestyle to promote the mother sports in India. PTI