IAAF hits back at ‘sensationalist’ doping claims

Allegations international athletics body the IAAF turned a blind eye to suspicious blood tests involving hundreds of athletes have been strenuously denied by the organisation.

A lengthy response by the IAAF to the claims by a German broadcaster and The Sunday Times said the allegations were “sensationalist and confusing”.

The media organisations gained access to a database containing more than 12,000 blood tests from 5,000 athletes. It claimed more than 800 athletes – and a third of all medallists in endurance events at recent Olympics and World Championships – had suspicious blood test results which were not followed up by the IAAF.