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"I can't think of anything worse happening for the reputation of athletics"

Earlier today, the dramatic news broke that former president of athletics' world governing body L...
Newstalk
Newstalk

20.23 4 Nov 2015


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"I can't think...

"I can't think of anything worse happening for the reputation of athletics"

Newstalk
Newstalk

20.23 4 Nov 2015


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Earlier today, the dramatic news broke that former president of athletics' world governing body Lamine Diack has been questioned by French police investigating allegations of corruption.

It relates to an alleged cover-up of doping within Russian athletics.

Officers visited the headquarters of the IAAF in Monaco yesterday and seized documents.

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Diack stepped down as president in August, and was succeeded by Lord Coe, who is understood to have ordered full co-operation with the investigation.

Tonight, Press Association chief sportswriter Martyn Ziegler spoke to Off The Ball about the events of today.

"The allegation is that he took more than $1 million in bribes, which is an incredible amount, and this is to cover up specifically positive drugs tests coming from Russian athletes - and not just him but his close adviser Habib Cisse and also a senior figure in the anti-doping organisation of the IAAF, Gabriel Dollé," he explained.

Assessing the hit that athletics will take to its reputation, Ziegler added: "I can't think of anything worse happening for the for the reputation of athletics."

 


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