The International Olympic Committee has retested 454 anti-doping samples taken from athletes at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, catching 31 cheats from six different sports and 12 countries.

Maria Sharapova has only herself to blame for failing a drugs test, according to former World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound as the Russian former Wimbledon champion faces an uncertain future in the sport and the cost of losing headline sponsors.

Good morning. Here’s everything you need to know before you start your day.

Sebastian Coe has received crucial backing to remain as IAAF president despite another damning report on athletics’ doping scandal and admitting that he leads a “failed organisation”.

IAAF president Seb Coe is in favour of erasing world records in international athletics set by suspected drugs cheats, according to UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner.

After the worst week in the history of the sport, IAAF president Seb Coe faces the unenviable task of guiding athletics through crisis and ending the doping culture, writes Cathal Dennehy.

Ciarán Ó Lionáird has called for increased funding for anti-doping agencies around the world in the wake of yesterday’s report from the World Anti-Doping Agency, which shed light on the extent of the doping problem in athletics.

Russia faces being banned from the Rio 2016 Olympics after an investigation revealed “state-sponsored” doping on a wide scale in one of sport’s biggest ever scandals.

The outgoing president of international athletics has defended the organisation’s record on drug-testing and called the latest dopingallegations “a joke”.

Former world anti-doping chief Dick Pound stands by his view that dropping cycling from the Olympics on a temporary basis may be the only way to drive drug use out of the sport.

Former world anti-doping chief Dick Pound today stood by his view that dropping cycling from the Olympics on a temporary basis may be the only way to drive drug-use out of the sport.

Lance Armstrong faces a series of interviews over his sordid past if he is to one day return to sporting competition.

Irish author and campaigning sportswriter Paul Kimmage has hinted that disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong may come clean about his drug-fuelled rise to the top of the sport.

Fresh questions last night emerged over the “triangle” involving disgraced Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, a payment by him to the International Cycling Union (UCI), and a drug- testing laboratory.

Sepp Blatter remains a credible president of FIFA despite allegations of corruption at the governing body, according to Franz Beckenbauer.

Rugby sevens and golf were confirmed as new Olympic sports for the 2016 Games today.

Rugby sevens and golf were today confirmed as new Olympic sports for the 2016 Games.

PAT HICKEY, Olympic Council of Ireland president, has admitted that Ireland’s name has ‘a bad name’ internationally due the drug scandals that have tainted medals won at two of the last three Games.

THE International Cycling Union (UCI) is set to sue former World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) president Dick Pound for “continual injurious and biased comments” against the world cycling’s ruling body and its ex-president Hein Verbruggen.

CLIVE WOODWARD failed to impress Chris Boardman with a single idea to improve Britain’s chances in the 2012 Olympics, the 1992 gold medal-winning cyclist told politicians.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe has vowed to press for four-year bans for drug cheats.

PAUL McGINLEY yesterday hailed Padraig Harrington’s Open victory as vital in breaking down the barriers to more European success in the majors.

Paul McGinley today hailed Padraig Harrington’s Open victory as vital in breaking down the barriers to more European success in the majors.

Marion Jones could still face a fight to clear her name from drugs charges despite producing a negative B test sample for the banned blood-boosting substance EPO last week.

WORLD anti-doping chief Dick Pound has called for Justin Gatlin to be banned for life after confirming the sprinter’s ‘B’ sample had tested positive for testosterone.

DICK POUND believes cycling “is in the toilet” following the latest doping scandal to rock the sport.

DICK POUND, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), is determined to close the loop hole that allowed 12 cross country skiiers who failed a blood test to escape sanctions.

A solicitor acting for Mariano Puerta believes the decision to ban the player for eight years for a second doping offence would “undermine the battle against drug cheats in sport”.

MARIANO PUERTA is considering an appeal against an eight-year ban imposed for a second drugs offence.

Football’s world governing body FIFA remain at odds with the rest of the sporting world with their judgement of how first-time drug offenders should be punished.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter appeared to categorically rule out automatic two-year bans for first drugs offences in football.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter appeared to categorically rule out automatic two-year bans for first drugs offences in football.

Olympic chiefs today expressed concern at a huge drop in the number of out-of-competition drugs tests.

CHELSEA have been warned controversial blood-spinning techniques used to treat injured players may be unlawful.

INTERNATIONAL Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has set up a disciplinary commission to investigate allegations against US sprinter Marion Jones.

WORLD Anti-Doping Agency boss Dick Pound yesterday promised doping controls at the Athens Olympics to be tighter and more far-reaching than ever before amid continuing fears of a new wave of undetectable ‘designer’ drugs.

World Anti-Doping Agency chief Dick Pound warned potential Olympic cheats that his organisation is making huge strides at the “beginning of a whole new era” in the fight against drugs in sport.

Anti-doping chief Dick Pound has warned sport’s drug cheats the net is starting to close in on them.

Lance Armstrong expects to be the target for doping allegations on the eve of the Tour de France as he aims to become the first man to win six Tours when this year’s race starts

WORLD football's governing body has agreed to fall into line with the global anti-doping programme provided it can run its own show.

World football’s governing body has agreed to fall into line with the global anti-doping programme – provided it can run its own show.

Football’s world governing body FIFA today officially signed a declaration of intent over their future drugs policy with the World Anti-Doping Agency.