Rio 2016 Champ Says Possible to Succeed as Clean Athlete -- ATRadio

(ATR) It has been a busy and important week in Monaco for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Two days of IAAF Council meetings have been completed and president Sebastian Coe is proposing sweeping change and reforms in the governance of the federation to be voted on by member federations at Saturday's Special Congress.

At the same time, new stars are needed to help the sport attract fans and sponsors, especially considering recent turmoil involving doping scandals and widespread corruption within the organization.

Brazilian Olympic pole vault champion Thiago Braz da Silva, 22, is one of those new stars who the IAAF is counting on to help build the sport's popularity in the near future.

The Brazilian pole vaulter became an instant celebrity in his country when he pulled one of the biggest upsets of the Rio 2016 Games, leaping to a new Olympic record of 6.03m and defeating French defending Olympic pole vault gold medalist and World Record holder Renaud Lavillenie.

Around the Rings European correspondent Brian Pinelli caught up with Thiago Braz da Silva on Friday in Monaco prior to the IAAF Annual Athletics Awards. Topics included Thiago's inspiration for gold, rowdy Brazilian fans, the legacy of Rio 2016, change in the IAAF and advice from his sporting idol Sergey Bubka.

Listen below for the full interview with da Silva.

Written by Brian Pinelli in Monaco.

Homepage photo: Getty Images

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