Russia accept full suspension from athletics over doping: IAAF

Russia have accepted the full suspension from athletics over widespread doping without requesting a hearing, announced the sport's world governing body IAAF after Thursday's council meeting in Monaco.

   Two weeks ago, the All-Russian Athletics Federation (ARAF) received the most severe punishment ever handed out by IAAF, to be suspended from all international competitions after the revelations by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) earlier this month.

   Under the suspension, all Russian athletes and support staff will be forbidden to participate in any international events including World Athletics Series competitions and the Olympic Games.

   "Council was informed that written confirmation had been received from ARAF accepting their full suspension without requesting a hearing as was their constitutional right," read a statement by IAAF on Thursday after its council meeting chaired by president Sebastian Coe.

   "ARAF confirmed they understood that Council would only accept their reinstatement as an IAAF Member Federation following the recommendation of the IAAF Inspection Team who will decide if the verification criteria have been fulfilled.

   "ARAF also confirmed they will cooperate fully and actively with the team," said the statement, as all council members except Russia's Mikhail Butov and African Area Association representative David Okeyo of Kenya had attended Thursday's meeting. 

   During the council meeting, Coe also briefed his colleagues that he's stepped down from his ambassador role with Nike, keeps the role as chairman of sports marketing agency CSM, and will step down as Chairman of the British Olympic Association at the conclusion of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, according to the statement.  Endi