Seb Coe Knew Of Russian Doping Allegations In 2014
Seb Coe Knew Of Russian Doping Allegations In 2014
Weeks after the British Parliament questioned whether IAAF President Sebastian Coe received--or even read--an email from London Marathon race director Dave Bedford revolving around Russian marathoner Liliya Shobukhova, new email evidence released today sh
New email evidence has been revealed that proves IAAF President Sebastian Coe was aware of Russian doping allegations as far back as 2014. Just weeks after British Parliament questioned whether Coe received--or even read--an email from London Marathon race director Dave Bedford, a new email surfaced which shows that Coe was aware of doping allegations surrounding Russian marathoner Liliya Shobukhova, according to the BBC.
The email exchange is between IAAF ethics commission chair Michael Beloff and Coe, and dates back to August of 2014.
"Dear Michael, I have in the last couple of days received copied documentation of serious allegations being made by and on behalf of the Russian female athlete Shobukhova from David Bedford. I have spoken to David today on the phone and he advises me that he has shared this information with you. Should I forward this documentation to you? The purpose of this note is of course to advise you that I have now been made aware of the allegations. I recognise you are on holiday and I am at the European Track and Field Championships but would be grateful for your advice. As ever, Seb," Coe wrote.
Coe received the initial message from Bedford on the allegations surrounding Shobukhova but claimed he did not open the email or attachments, and just forwarded it to the IAAF Ethics Commission.
His message to Beloff suggests otherwise. "The purpose of this note is of course to advise you that I have now been made aware of the allegations," reads quite black and white. Coe knew of the allegations against Shobukhova, specifically that she was paying to cover up positive drug tests.
And though the released email gives us more insight into what Coe and the IAAF may have known in 2014, I'm still not convinced this is the end.
Russia was banned from competing in the Rio Olympics after revelations surfaced of systematic widespread doping throughout the country. The Russians took home a total of 18 medals from track and field at the 2012 London Olympics; many have since been stripped. Russian athletes who wish to compete in international competitions in 2017 must apply to compete as a neutral athlete.
The email exchange is between IAAF ethics commission chair Michael Beloff and Coe, and dates back to August of 2014.
"Dear Michael, I have in the last couple of days received copied documentation of serious allegations being made by and on behalf of the Russian female athlete Shobukhova from David Bedford. I have spoken to David today on the phone and he advises me that he has shared this information with you. Should I forward this documentation to you? The purpose of this note is of course to advise you that I have now been made aware of the allegations. I recognise you are on holiday and I am at the European Track and Field Championships but would be grateful for your advice. As ever, Seb," Coe wrote.
Coe received the initial message from Bedford on the allegations surrounding Shobukhova but claimed he did not open the email or attachments, and just forwarded it to the IAAF Ethics Commission.
His message to Beloff suggests otherwise. "The purpose of this note is of course to advise you that I have now been made aware of the allegations," reads quite black and white. Coe knew of the allegations against Shobukhova, specifically that she was paying to cover up positive drug tests.
And though the released email gives us more insight into what Coe and the IAAF may have known in 2014, I'm still not convinced this is the end.
Russia was banned from competing in the Rio Olympics after revelations surfaced of systematic widespread doping throughout the country. The Russians took home a total of 18 medals from track and field at the 2012 London Olympics; many have since been stripped. Russian athletes who wish to compete in international competitions in 2017 must apply to compete as a neutral athlete.