Russia faces exile as IAAF decides doping fate

Monaco, Thursday: Russia, accused of “state-sponsored” doping, have said they are ready to establish a new anti-doping agency hours before world athletics chiefs meet with exclusion from the 2016 Olympics a potential long-term consequence for Moscow. Sebastian Coe, the recently-elected president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), will not be at the organisation’s headquarters in Monaco but will preside over a conference call of the body’s 26 members at around 1800GMT from London.

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko told R-Sport news agency hours before the IAAF meeting that Moscow was ready to reform or “create a new anti-doping organisation” if the IAAF or the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) demanded it.

A simple majority is all that will be needed to confirm a suspension for Russia who were accused of widespread doping by an independent commission set up by WADA in a report which has shaken track and field, one of the Olympic Games’ flagship attractions.

The 335-page report also blasted Russian officials for blackmailing athletes to cover up positive tests as well as destroying test samples. – AFP