“This has been a shameful wake-up call and we are clear that cheating will not be tolerated”.
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On Friday, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) commission ruled that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) violated its code.
Committee member Damian Collins, MP for Folkestone and Hythe, confirmed he would ask Coe, who is also chairman of the British Olympic Association, about his continuing Nike connections.
Coe said their decision, via a secret voting of the IAAF council via teleconference – was “the toughest sanction we can apply at this time”.
Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said the suspension was “temporary” and the “problem is solvable”. “It was in exchange for money”, said Jean-Yves Lourgouilloux, a prosecutor on the Lamine Diack case.
But former Namibian sprinter Frankie Fredericks, speaking on behalf of the IAAF Athletes Commission, said the commission was “angry at the damage being caused to the reputation and credibility of athletics and are united alongside our president to not shy away from the major challenges that face our sport”.
The doping commission’s report said Balakhnichev was “ultimately responsible” for doping and cover-ups at the federation during his tenure and linked him to instances in which money was allegedly extorted from athletes.
Wada will release further details from its report later this year – there were redacted sections on the IAAF because of ongoing criminal investigations. “He needs to let the people know, he needs to let the cheats know, and he needs to make sure all the other federations understand there are serious consequences to this”.
Wada, which commissioned Pound’s report, was also criticised for being too “diffident” in its approach.
The 59-year-old, who has taken a few flak over the IAAF’s role in the scandal, will also be quizzed about continuing as a Nike brand ambassador.
The articulate Coe won Olympic gold in the 1,500 metres at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics, as well as two silver medals in the 800m, and set eight outdoor and three indoor world records in middle-distance track events.
“So nothing threatens our players’ participation in the 2016 Summer Olympics”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said his country will conduct its own investigation and will cooperate with sporting federations looking into the allegations, state news agency Sputnik News reported.
Under the terms of the suspension, no Russian athlete or support staff will be entitled to participate in worldwide events including the Olympic Games – although the chances of Russia being excluded from Rio next year look slim.
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“If they don’t it has to play itself out and the outcome may be that there are no Russian track and field athletes in Rio”. The tone has become more emollient as the week has worn on, however. Jon Snow was right – Coe has either turned a blind eye to the IAAF’s corruption or was too blind to see it. Either way, he’s not the man to lead the sport out of the darkness.
