Valentin Balakhnichev, president of the Russian athletics federation has stepped down after almost 25 years in office following a series of doping scandals surrounding Russian Olympic medalists. 

 

Balakhnichev departs the federation as it faces a World Anti-Doping Agency investigation into allegations of systematic and organized drug use by Russian athletes, with a large focus on Russia’s race-walking team, which has seen more than 20 athletes banned for doping. 

 

The former president is the only person to serve as president of the federation since it split from the Soviet track and field authorities. 

 

Three Russian Olympic race walk champions were banned for doping last month, including 2012 50k champion Sergei Kirdyapkin, Valery Borchin and Olga Kaniskina. Borchin won the men’s 20k gold and Kaniskina won the women’s 20k race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Russian anti-doping agency says their blood samples show similarities indicating an organized program of drug use. 

 

The documentary, “Secret Doping Dossier: How Russia Produces its Winners” was aired by German broadcaster ARD in December, which suggested blame towards Balakhnichev among many others in Russia’s systematic doping practices. 

 

“The president takes full responsibility, so I decided to resign,” Balakhnichev said at a national championship competition in comments reported by R-Sport. 

 

Balakhnichev has named his deputy Vadim Zelichenok as the federation’s acting president until elections decide a permanent successor.