IAAF: 'Russia won't be banned from competitions'

International Association of Athletics Federations president Lamine Diack has revealed that Russia won't be banned from upcoming major competitions.

In December, a German television documentary alleged that a systematic doping programme was present in Russian athletics, but Diack has insisted that there is no possibility of the nation not competing at major events, including this summer's World Championships in Beijing.

The IAAF chief is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "They are in. They are in. It's a great nation of athletics."

In January, six Russian athletes, including heptathlete Tatyana Chernova, were handed lengthy bans for failed doping tests.