IAAF orders 3 life bans over Russian doping bribes scandal

An IAAF ethics commission on Thursday banned for life former world body treasurer Valentin Balakhnichev and a son of former president Lamine Diack over bribes taken to cover up doping failures by Russian athletes.

The commission ordered a life ban against former Russian coach Alexei Melnikov and a five year ban against former world body anti-doping doctor Gabriel Dolle.

Papa Massata Diack, son of Lamine Diack who has been charged with corruption by French investigators, was said to have been at the centre of the scheme which earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.

"Any lesser sanction would not meet the gravity of their offences," the commission said in announcing the bans.
Source :AFP