Lord Coe vows to “rebuild trust” following WADA report

LORD Coe has urged the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) council to start considering sanctions against Russia following the “alarming” World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report published on Monday afternoon.

WADA found the London 2012 Olympics were sabotaged by the widespread inaction against Russian athletes with suspicious doping profiles. Picture: PA

The report by WADA’s independent commission examined allegations of widespread doping among Russian athletes and cover-ups of that activity.

It identified “systemic failures” within the IAAF and the Russian athletics federation (ARAF) that “prevent or diminish the possibility of an effective anti-doping programme”.

WADA found the London 2012 Olympics were “sabotaged” by the “widespread inaction” against Russian athletes with suspicious doping profiles and has called on the IAAF to suspend Russia from competition.

IAAF president Coe said in a statement on Monday: “The information in WADA’s Independent Commissions Report is alarming.

“We need time to properly digest and understand the detailed findings included in the report. However, I have urged the Council to start the process of considering sanctions against ARAF.

“This step has not been taken lightly. Our athletes, partners and fans have my total assurance that where there are failures in our governance or our anti-doping programmes we will fix them.

“We will do whatever it takes to protect the clean athletes and rebuild trust in our sport. The IAAF will continue to offer the police authorities our full co-operation into their ongoing investigation.”