IOC probe Diack over corruption charges

The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) ethics commission announced on Wednesday it was investigating Lamine Diack after the former athletics chief was charged with taking bribes to cover up doping cases by French police.

The IOC launched an inquiry into the 82-year-old Senegalese official after a raid by police on the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) headquarters in Monaco.

"In light of the criminal investigation against Mr Lamine Diack, who is an IOC honorary member, I have decided to refer this case to the IOC's Ethics' Commission," IOC Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer Paquerette Zappelli confirmed in a statement.

Diack, who was replaced as IAAF president by Sebastian Coe in August, and his legal advisor Habib Cisse, are charged with corruption, money laundering and conspiracy, French prosecutors said.

An IOC spokesman said they were following developments at the heart of athletics' ruling body "very closely".

He added the IOC had "full confidence" in Coe and the IAAF's new leadership.

Diack was the IAAF boss from 1999 until this year, a period when international athletics was hit with repeated doping scandals.

The sensational charges were laid ahead of the release this month of a report by a World Anti-Doping Agency commission into allegations of widespread substance abuse in Russia, Kenya and among world champions.

Caption: Lamine Diack

Photo Credit: SkySports