Russian Athletics President Balakhnichev Announces Resignation

Valentin Balakhnichev has resigned as the president of the Russian Athletics Federation amid doping issues in the country.

The 65-year-old (pictured far right) announced earlier this month that he would be stepping down and officially confirmed the resignation at the federation’s executive board meeting.

Balakhnichev said: “I decided to resign. I failed to confront in full the rise of doping problems in Russia. And I understand that as the (athletics) federation president I’m personally responsible for it. That was the reason of my decision.

“I hand the federation into my followers’ hands in good condition, free of debts. Currently we have only one serious problem – it’s the doping problem.”

Balakhnichev’s deputy Vadim Zelichenok has been placed in temporary charge of the athletics federation until elections are held for a permanent successor.

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