Doping Controversy Looming Over Russian Athletics -- ATRadio

(ATR)World Athletics is still reeling from a damning report delivered by members of the World Anti Doping Agency Independent Commission.

Russian OlympianThe report detailed widespread doping cover-ups in Russian athletics.Led by Richard Pound, the commission released its findings online and at a press conference in Geneva.

In the wake of what he calls an "alarming" report, IAAF president Sebastian Coe announced he is seeking approval from his fellow IAAF Council members to consider sanctions against Russian athletics.Those sanctions could leave Russian track and field athletes out of the Olympics.

Following the release of the WADA Independent Commission's report, Foundation for Global Sports Development executive Dr. Steven Ungerleider is telling clean athletes don't be tempted to dope.

Ungerleider, who also served on the WADA education and ethics committee, spoke with Around the Ringsin an edition of ATRadio and said the scandal is detrimental to the Olympic family.

In 2001, Ungerleider published a book titled "Faust's Gold," which explores the infamous East German doping program.After his time spent researching East Germany, Ungerleider told ATR he was not surprised by the findings in the WADA Independent Commission's report. "During that period I was told, and saw documentation, that East Germany was not really alone.Russia and other countries were involved in doping protocols."

Interpol announced last it will coordinate with French authorities in a global investigation into athletics leaders and athletes suspected of involvement in the Russian doping scandal.

ATR editor Ed Hula offers his perspective on the controversy in this Sunday edition of ATRadio.He, like Ungerleider, said he was not all that surprised by the charges made against Russian athletics.

IOC President Thomas Bach says the IOC is taking a leadership role in fighting back against what could be the biggest case of systematic doping since the days of East Germany two generations ago.

Bach spoke to the media shortly after delivering remarks at the opening of the annual SportAccord International Federations Forum in Lausanne. In that talk he made it clear to the dozens of sports leaders assembled, Olympic and non-Olympic, that good governance was an issue they must confront or else suffer the consequences that face FIFA and now the IAAF.

Click below for more from the IOC president's first address to the media about the Russian doping scandal.

Written and produced byNicole Bennett

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