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Three Britons among hundreds named on IAAF blood list

Three London 2012 champions are reported to be on a list of athletes with suspicious blood values © Getty Images

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As many as 225 athletes are named in documents which are said to reveal the true scale of an alleged doping cover-up by athletics' world governing body.

The athletes, from up to 39 countries, feature on a list of competitors with suspicious blood values taken between 2006-8, which was exposed this week by German television channel ARD in a series of explosive documentaries.

The broadcaster has accused the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) of failing to act with follow-up target testing in around 150 cases of abnormal readings, but the Daily Telegraph reports the cover-up could have gone much deeper.

According to the newspaper, documents reveal that up to 225 athletes from 39 countries have provided suspicious blood samples, with the list including: three Britons (including one star member of Team GB), 58 Russians, 25 Kenyans, three London 2012 champions, scores of other Olympic and world champions, current and former world record holders, marathon winners, and several athletes banned for doping - all from distances from 400m upwards on track, road and cross-country and multi-event athletes.

The IAAF is investigating the claims made by ARD and has not disputed the authenticity of the list, which the German broadcaster said it obtained via a whistleblower, described as an experienced member of the governing body's medical and anti-doping commission.

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that UK doping officials are to contact the IAAF to request more information after allegations that one of Britain's biggest stars is named on the list.

Lawyers representing the athlete are said to be desperate to avoid their client, who has an unblemished reputation, being linked with known drugs cheats and have moved to stop the athlete being named.

The Daily Mail's report claims the two other British athletes named on the IAAF list are on the fringes of Team GB, although one was tested ahead of a major competition because of comments he or she made before a race.

An athlete's inclusion on the list does not necessarily indicate doping took place. However, a number of samples are understood to have shown suspiciously high concentrations of haemoglobin -- a possible sign of blood-boosting endurance drug EPO. The IAAF is accused of ignoring such warning signs in a bid to stifle a scandal.

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