Lord Coe and the governing body of athletics came under increased pressure to bar Russia from the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro after a German television channel last night aired a documentary claiming that many of the doping practices that led to the country being thrown out of the sport last year are still widespread.
On Friday, the council of the IAAF will consider the first report from an inspection taskforce that will decide if Russia are fit to return. The doping scandal last year revealed state-sponsored doping and a “deep-rooted culture of cheating”.
Russia had hoped that a favourable report would lead to a plan for Russia’s reintegration in time for the Olympics. The leadership of the Russian athletics federation has changed, but last night ARD, the German television channel whose original documentary sparked the crisis, said that Russia was still flouting demands for anti-doping reforms.
Last night’s programme claimed that doping was still widespread and that one coach accused in a World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) report on Russia was still coaching athletes, despite being suspended.
Coe has been battling a succession of scandals since he became IAAF president in August but the struggle against doping is likely to define his term in office. When announcing Russia’s suspension from the IAAF in November, he vowed to maintain a tough line with Russia, unless it can be proved that doping has been eradicated. Last night the IAAF said that its taskforce, led by Rune Andersen, a Norwegian anti-doping expert, would investigate the latest allegations.
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The IAAF taskforce made its first visit to Russia in early January. It will only recommend the reinstatement of the Russian athletics federation if, and when, the federation proves that it is compliant with anti-doping procedures.
A positive report on Friday would not allow Russia to compete at the World Indoor Championships, which start in Portland six days later, but it could clear the way for Russia to compete on the track in Rio. However, if the taskforce fails to recommend reinstatement, then time will not be on Russia’s side, with the next IAAF council meeting not likely to take place until just before the Games begin.
Gamze Bulut, of Turkey, who finished second in the women’s 1,500 metres at the 2012 Olympics, is being investigated for abnormalities in her biological passport, according to reports in her country, though the investigation has not yet concluded. Bulut finished behind Asli Cakir Alptekin, also of Turkey, who was stripped of her gold medal for doping last year. Bulut has yet to be promoted to gold. Five athletes from that final have either been banned or are under investigation for doping.