Ex-IAAF president under probe over alleged doping cover-up

Former president of the International Association of Athletics Federations, Lamine Diack, was arrested on Sunday for an alleged doping cover up for some Russian athletes, reports say.

He was released on Tuesday.

The 82-year-old Senegalese was president of the IAAF for 16 years. His tenure ended in August and he handed over to Sebastian Coe.

In a statement released by the IAAF, they confirmed that investigations were ongoing.

“The IAAF confirms that, emanating from separate ongoing investigations by WADA’s independent commission and the IAAF’s own independent ethics commission into allegations surrounding its anti-doping rules and regulations, a French police investigation has now commenced.

“The IAAF is fully cooperating with all investigations as it has been from the beginning of the process.

“As part of the French investigation, police visited the IAAF HQ offices (on Tuesday) to carry out interviews and to access documentation.”

German broadcaster, ARD, had alleged in 2014 that positive dope tests involving Russian athletes were covered up by some IAAF officials.

Coincidentally, Coe, who is on a visit to Russia, reacted to the issue of doping in the sports.

“This has been a very productive visit to Moscow. I was able to meet and interact directly with Russian athletes, coaches and officials, and I appreciate their openness, passion for our sport and noted a real appetite for change.

“I also felt a very strong support for our plans to modernise athletics. I expressed my uncompromising position on the issue of doping in athletics and the importance for the sport to build trust and defend clean athletes at all times.”