IAAF will not ban Russia over doping claims – Lamine Diack

A German TV documentary alleged last year that as many as 99% of Russian athletes had been guilty of doping.

RUSSIA will not be banned from major competitions because of allegations of a systematic doping programme, athletics’ governing body has said.

A German TV documentary alleged last year that as many as 99% of Russian athletes had been guilty of doping.

The International Association of Athletics Federations and the World Anti-Doping Agency are investigating.

But IAAF president Lamine Diack said suggestions Russia could be excluded from major events were “a joke”.

Diack, who will stand down in August after 16 years in the role, added: “They are in. They are in. It’s a great nation of athletics.”

In January, Russia’s anti-doping agency suspended five athletes who compete in the walk, including three Olympic champions.

The same month, Russian heptathlete Tatyana Chernova was banned for two years for doping by the Russian anti-doping agency. BBC