Former athletics chief investigated for taking bribes to cover up doping

One of athletics most powerful figures is being investigated over allegations he took bribes for deferring sanctions against Russian drugs cheats. Former IAAF president Lamine Diack is suspected of taking at least €200,000 from Russian athletics officials to cover up positive doping tests, French authorities said on Wednesday. The 82-year-old’s legal adviser, Habib Cisse, also was placed under investigation by judges acting on evidence provided by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Gabriel Dolle, who was the director of the IAAF’s anti-doping department, was also taken into custody in Nice.

Diack is suspected of receiving money in exchange for deferring sanctions for several Russian athletes who were found guilty of doping in 2011, ahead of the Olympic Games.

French prosecutors

Diack stepped down in August after 16 years in charge of track and field’s governing body as allegations over a doping cover-up first emerged. He was placed under formal investigation by French judges on corruption and aggravated money-laundering charges. Cisse faces only the corruption charge. Police also visited the IAAF headquarters in Monaco on Tuesday “to carry out interviews and to access documentation,” the IAAF said. Sebastian Coe, who succeeded Diack as IAAF president, was in the organisation’s offices when the officers arrived. He volunteered himself for questioning and was questioned, the IAAF said. The police also took away some documents.

God knows what’s going on there. We’ve already said that our federation had problems. The old management isn’t working there any more

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko

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