Russia appoints Tarasenko new athletics chief amid doping crisis
The HinduYulia Tarasenko was appointed as interim president of Russia's athletics body on Saturday following the suspension of previous head Dmitry Shlyakhtin by World Athletics. Russian athletics' crisis deepened following Thursday's ruling by the Athletics Integrity Unit of global governing body World Athletics, which suspended Russia's reinstatement process and accused RUSAF of obstructing a probe into high-jumper Danil Lysenko. Head coach of Russia's athletics Yury Borzakovsky said Saturday that RUSAF's main goal is to “protect the athletes and their coaches, so that they keep preparing for the Olympic Games and compete there.” “In what status is a different issue,” he said. “Tarasenko is Shlyakhtin's appointee and should immediately quit the federation.” Lasitskene said Saturday's decision would only deepen the crisis and the federation should have instead picked a new face with a clear anti-doping stance and no connection to previous management.