ARAF president Valentin Balakhnichev steps down amid doping scandal

Valentin Balakhnichev has announced that he will step down as president of the All-Russian Athletics Federation amid allegations of widespread doping.

The 65-year-old has been under pressure ever since a German documentary aired in December claiming that 99% of Russian athletes have taken illegal substances.

Balakhnichev will officially leave his role later this month after spending 24 years working with the Federation.

"Everything should be done according to the rules," insidethegames.biz quotes Balakhnichev as saying. "I'll declare my resignation during ARAF meeting on February 17 and then this decision must be approved.

"I'm not going to continue my work until new elections and will cease my credentials that day. The Presidium should elect the person who will meet obligations of ARAF president until new elections."

The move comes after Tatyana Chernova and Yulia Zaripova were banned for doping offences.