Australia urges full probe of doping allegations in athletics

Athletics Australia chief Phil Jones on Monday said he was alarmed by new allegations of mass doping in the sport and demanded a full investigation to find the truth.

The sport is reeling from a leaked database belonging to its governing body the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) reported by German television channel ARD and Britain's Sunday Times newspaper.

It allegedly shows details of 12,000 blood tests from 5,000 competitors which revealed "extraordinary" levels of doping, which the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said would "shake the foundation" of athletes trying to stay clean.

"The contents of the articles is alarming," said Jones in a statement.

"Athletics Australia is currently working to ascertain further information about the alleged leaked IAAF test reports that have been obtained to form the basis of the articles.

"The accusations made must be properly investigated. We welcome the World Anti-Doping Agency's decision to probe the allegations made."

Jones added that as a signatory to the WADA code, Athletics Australia condemned doping in sport.

"We endorse and demand the highest possible level of testing protocols to ensure that all those who break the rules are caught and sanctioned," he said.

World athletics chief Lamine Diack on Monday said a campaign to redistribute medals was behind new press reports alleging widespread doping abuse in the sport.

Diack told the International Olympic Committee that the IAAF would answer the allegations.

"Behind all this there is a desire to redistribute medals, take care of this," Diack told IOC members.

"Our office is working and is going to answer all these questions," he added.

WADA president Craig Reedie said on Sunday the new claims would be quickly passed to an independent commission looking into allegations aired by ARD in December of widespread doping in Russian athletics.

Russian and Kenyan athletes featured strongly in the latest claims, with ARD and the Sunday Times saying the data was leaked by a "whistleblower".

The media groups asked Australian doping experts Michael Ashenden and Robin Parisotto to examine the results and they concluded that 800 athletes in disciplines from 800m to the marathon registered values considered suspicious or highly suspicious.

On Sunday, the IAAF issued a terse press release taking to task the media outlets for releasing private medical information.

"The IAAF is now preparing a detailed response to both media outlets and will reserve the right to take any follow up action necessary to protect the rights of the IAAF and its athletes," it said.
Source: AFP