Paris--International athletics chiefs will start action against Russian athletes caught in doping scandals within three months and said Monday they want a coach at the centre of the scandal kicked out of the sport.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have started full-scale inquiries into the sport in Russia since a television documentary alleged widespread doping by top athletes.
Thomas Capdevielle, the IAAF anti-doping manager, said "we hope to at least initiate proceedings in the next two or three months on the first individuals."
He added the IAAF could appeal against some sanctions ordered by the Russian Athletics Federation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the main international appeals tribunal.
Proceedings have already been started against Viktor Chegin, who heads the Russian race-walking centre in Saransk and has trained more than 20 athletes caught for doping in recent years.
Three of the five latest race walkers banned in January were past or present Olympic champions. All were coached by Chegin.
"We are confident it will end in a satisfying conclusion for us," Capdevielle said of the IAAF action against Chegin.
AFP
