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IAAF president Sebastian Coe
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IAAF will launch 'fiercely independent' integrity unit in April after scandals

Sebastian Coe said planning to get the Athletics Integrity Unit fully up and running is “well under way”.

THE IAAF SAY a “fiercely independent” Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is due to be operational next April as the governing body steps up its attempts to tackle doping in the sport.

Sebastian Coe vowed to reform the IAAF after athletics’ reputation was tarnished by revelations of doping, leading to a blanket ban being imposed on Russia for the Rio Olympics in August.

The organisation today revealed it has started the recruitment process for four senior positions to work on the AIU, which will have a budget of $8 million (€7.69 million) and be launched on April 3.

The AIU will manage all aspects of the anti-doping programme and take a key role in monitoring the compliance of member federations with the aim of ensuring they adhere to the Integrity Code of Conduct.

IAAF president Coe said: “Sport at its best is about the pursuit of excellence.  It involves hard work, discipline, training, review, reflection, adaptation and change.

Athletes are reflective by nature and good at objectively measuring themselves and their performance against the best in class.  As sports bodies we need to take the strengths of our athletes and turn them into the strength of the body that governs the sport. The Athletics Integrity Unit will do this.

“I am delighted that the planning for this is now well under way and will accelerate as we head towards the beginning of April 2017 when the unit is due to be operational.

“We’re now inviting individuals with the necessary skills and relevant experience for either the leadership role or board positions to register their interest.”

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