Nick Davies: IAAF official temporarily steps down pending leaked email investigation

Davies was promoted to the role of deputy general secretary by IAAF president Sebastian Coe

Nick Davies, right, with IAAF president Sebastian Coe (Getty Images)

IAAF deputy general secretary Nick Davies has temporarily stepped down from his role while the governing body carries out an internal investigation into allegations that he knew about Russian athletes doping.

An email sent two years ago by Davies was recently leaked and appeared to show that he was aware of the IAAF covering up doping by Russian athletes.

The correspondence between Davies and Papa Massata Diack debated how best to delicately reveal names of potential dopers without impacting on the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, which took the place the following month.

Following the allegations, Davies, who was promoted by IAAF president Sebastian Coe this autumn, denied suggestion that he helped to cover up doping in a statement.

However, in the aftermath of the email’s publication, Davies has come under heavy criticism and has now decided to leave his role temporarily while the matter is investigated by the IAAF's Ethics Board.

More to follow...