AIU recommends expulsion of Russian federation over doping offences

The Athletics Integrity Unit Board on Wednesday called for the expulsion of Russia's athletics federation (RUSAF) after what it described as a its "total lack of contrition" for a long list of anti-doping violations. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko,/AP Photo

The Athletics Integrity Unit Board on Wednesday called for the expulsion of Russia's athletics federation (RUSAF) after what it described as a its "total lack of contrition" for a long list of anti-doping violations. Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko,/AP Photo

Published Jan 29, 2020

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The Athletics Integrity Unit Board on Wednesday called for the expulsion of Russia's athletics federation (RUSAF) after what it described as a its "total lack of contrition" for a long list of anti-doping violations.

The AIU Board has made recommendations to the World Athletics Council after reviewing RUSAF's response to breaches of anti-doping rules in November. RUSAF has been suspended by World Athletics since 2015 due to widespread doping and cover up offences.

The AIU, the independent unit set up by the sport's governing body in 2017 to manage all integrity issues had provisionally suspended seven people including federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin in an investigation linked into whereabouts violations committed by Russian high jumper Danil Lysenko, which they said the officials had obstructed.

The AIU board said that previous sanctions had failed to deter RUSAF from re-offending and urged the World Athletics Council to fine the federation as part of the "severest possible consequences. It also recommended maintaining the suspension of the authorised neutral athletes from Russia programme until the charges are determined. 

Reuters

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