IAAF in no hurry to disclose the names of Russians caught for doping – BBC Russian

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Image caption Deputy Secretary General of the IAAF’s Nick Davis (left) wrote a letter Consultant IAAF Pope Massate Deacon (right)

One of the senior representatives of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had planned to delay the publication of the names of Russian athletes found guilty of doping in the eve of the World Cup 2013 in Moscow, according to documents, caught in the disposal of Bi-bi-si.

It is the intention stated in the email from the Deputy Secretary General of the IAAF’s Nick Davis, son of the former president of the association Lamine Diack – Pope Massate Diack, who at that time worked in the IAAF as a marketing consultant.

Davis wrote that he needed to discuss with the Anti-Doping Department “Russian skeletons in the closet.” Later, he said that “we need to be smarter,” in the issue of the disclosure of the names of the guilty athletes.

The letter also contained a proposal to hire a marketing company CSM, which was led by the current president of the IAAF (then – Vice President), Sebastian Coe, in the “informal public relations campaign” to stem the flow of negative publicity in the media, especially the British, on the eve of the championship.

The letter contained a “secret plan” of the five points, was sent on July 19, that is, 22 days before the start of the World Championship in Athletics in 2013, which was held in Moscow.

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Image caption Olympic champion London Games 2012 in the women’s 800 meters Mariya Savinova – one of the athletes accused of doping

Davis stressed that the Russian athletes, already convicted of doping should not be included in the Russian team in the championship, and that it should make it clear to the head of the Russian Athletics Federation Valentin Balakhnichev.

“If the perpetrators will not participate in the competition, we can wait until the end of the tournament, before you name them – says Davis. – Or we will declare one or two names, but also (sic – approx. Bi-bi-si) with athletes from other countries “.

” We can also prepare Special test report to the IAAF, which shows that one of the reasons why the analysis of the Russian athletes have tested positive in the fact that they are checked frequently, “- added Davis.

Davis denies any wrongdoing for his part. He told the BBC B, the letter was the result of “brainstorming” on the issue of developing strategies to deal with the media, and no agreement with CSM has not been concluded.

“To protect and improve reputation The IAAF was one of my responsibilities as a director of communications – said Davis. – No plan has been brought to life at the end of this letter, and in no way was it possible that any media strategy intervene in the anti-doping process “.

At the time of writing this letter, Russia’s ability to hold the championship was put question against the background of a number of allegations of doping. On sanctions against 16 Russian citizens were announced within four months after the end of the tournament, in which Russia took first place in the number of awards.

Pope Massata Diack and Valentin Balakhnichev included in the number of officials of the IAAF, which is investigating the case against the Association Committee on Ethics. They deny their guilt.

In November, the IAAF Council has decided to suspend Russia from the competitions under its auspices for an indefinite period.