RUSSIA suffered more doping shame at the Olympics yesterday with the news that cyclist Vladimir Gusev will not compete in the Beijing Olympics after his professional team fired him last month on suspicion of doping.

The International Olympic Committee today said a case of “systematic planned doping” has been uncovered following last week’s suspension of seven top female Russian athletes.

Nick Davies, communications director for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), has moved to allay fears that pollution may cause further athletes to withdraw from this year’s Beijing Olympics – a day after world record holder Haile Gebrselassie decided not to run the marathon.

RUSSIAN athletes competing in the European Championships in Gothenburg are under suspicion for alleged doping after syringes and alleged banned substances were found near a hotel used by them during the competition.

ATHLETICS chiefs have admitted that the scale of doping seen in the Balco scandal has “tainted” the sport.

ATHLETICS chiefs have admitted the missed drugs test debacle of Greek sprint duo Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou could rumble on until December.

Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou will be free to compete following the Olympic Games after the IAAF today launched an inquiry into their missed drugs test.

Athletics’ drugs chief Arne Ljungqvist has admitted the cases of humiliated Greek sprint duo Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou will not be completed until well after the Olympic Games have finished.

OLYMPIC champion Kostas Kenteris and Sydney silver medallist Katerina Thanou dramatically pulled out of the Athens Games - to avoid the humiliation of being thrown out.

Olympic champion Kostas Kenteris and Sydney silver medallist Katerina Thanou dramatically pulled out of the Athens Games – to avoid the humiliation of being thrown out.

Athletics’ world governing body will this weekend discuss plans to ban convicted drugs cheats from future World Championships.