Doping Scandal: Russia Provisionally Suspended By IAAF
Russia’s athletics federation has been provisionally suspended from international competition by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), for its alleged involvement in widespread doping.
The IAAF took action following an independent publication by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accusing Russia of ‘State sponsored doping’.
Its council members voted 22-1 in favour of Russia being banned.
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Speaking to BBC, the IAAF president Lord Coe said: “We have been dealing with the failure of [the All Russia Athletic Federation] and made the decision to provisionally suspend them, the toughest sanction we can apply at this time.
“This is a wake-up call for all of us.
“Our sport finds itself in a shameful situation.
“I am wholly focused on the changes that need to be made. I have openly conceded that we need to learn some very tough lessons.
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“We need to look at ourselves, within our sport, and we will do that.”
The action will keep the All-Russia Athletic Federation, the nation’s leading athletic association, out of international competition for an indefinite period that may include the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.
However, Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said the suspension was “temporary” and the “problem is solvable”.
