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Discus champ Robert Harting has a novel idea for dealing with drug cheats

Germany's Robert Harting rips off his jersey after winning the gold medal in the men's discus throw final at the World Athletics Championships in the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Germany's Robert Harting rips off his jersey after winning the gold medal in the men's discus throw final at the World Athletics Championships in the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Robert Harting has never been shy with his feelings about drug cheats in athletics, but his latest idea on how to deal with the problem is probably his most extreme yet - a TV boycott.

'If more than four out of eight athletes in a final have been convicted of doping, TV stations shouldn't be allowed to broadcast the event,' he told German paper Sport Bild.

'Simply don't show it. This would then threaten their livelihoods'.

It's certainly an intriguing idea, but unlikely to ever be introduced. Aside from the economic factors, it would hardly be fair on the clean athletes who have made the final.

Nevertheless, the Olympic champion's no-nonsense stance has won him many admirers among fans and fellow athletes.

He has previously suggested that dopers returning from bans should have to wear red start numbers on their vests, making it clear to audiences everywhere that they have cheated. Last year, Harting asked for his name to be removed from the shortlist for the governing body (IAAF)'s Athlete of the Year - all because two-time drug cheat Justin Gatlin was also on the list.

Earlier this month, he was among a group of prominent German athletes who made a video criticising the IAAF's response to recent shocking doping revelations. The video begins: 'Dear IAAF, we cannot trust you any more, you damaged our sport, we have to act now.'

Sadly, Harting is not competing at the World Championships in Beijing this year as he recovers from injury - he is resting so as not to damage his chances of making the Olympics in Rio in 2016. He would have been a big favourite to retain his Discus title, having won in 2009 in Berlin, 2011 in Daegu and 2013 in Moscow. He also won gold at the London Olympics in 2012.

His flamboyant celebrations have always made him popular with fans, from ripping off his shirt like the Hulk to leaping over the hurdles laid out for the 110m race.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Robert Harting of Germany celebrates by jumping a hurdle after winning gold in the Men's Discus Throw Final on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Robert Harting of Germany celebrates by jumping a hurdle after winning gold in the Men's Discus Throw Final on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)