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Russian athletics chief quits IAAF amid doping scandal

Valentin Balakhnichev says he will return to his post at "the end of the investigation into this doping scandal" © Getty Images

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The head of the Russian athletics federation says he has stepped down from his role as IAAF treasurer while accusations of systematic doping by Russian athletes are investigated.

Valentin Balakhnichev said he and his federation had been subjected to "brutal persecution" following allegations in a German TV documentary that doping in Russia was commonplace and test results were routinely falsified.

Balakhnichev told the Tass agency he had stepped down voluntarily and plans to return to his International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) post at "the end of the investigation into this doping scandal".

The IAAF and the World Anti-Doping Agency have both said they are investigating the allegations.

The German program, broadcast by ARD last week, also appeared to show reigning Olympic 800 metres champion Maria Savinova admitting to using the banned steroid oxandrolone.

ARD and French sports daily L'Equipe reported that three-time Chicago Marathon winner Liliya Shobukhova paid €450,000 (£357,000) to avoid a doping ban. Shobukhova was eventually banned for doping and she said some of the money was refunded.

ARD has said it found evidence linking Shobukhova's apparent €300,000 refund payment to Balakhnichev. The Singapore-based company that allegedly made the payment is owned by a business partner of Papa Massata Diack, the son of IAAF president Lamine Diack, ARD said in another program broadcast on Monday.

Papa Massata Diack has also agreed to step down pending the inestigation, as has IAAF legal adviser Habib Cisse.

Balakhnichev has taken a combative stance against the allegations of Russian doping, calling them "a provocation aimed at undermining Russian sport" and threatening that his federation could sue for defamation over the ARD film.

The Russian Sports Ministry promised on Monday that WADA investigators would receive "complete assistance" from the Russian authorities.

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

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