The son of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Lamine Diack has stepped down from his role with the governing body as investigations continue into allegations of doping in Russia.

Papa Massata Diack, an IAAF marketing consultant, is one of three officials to leave their posts following the allegations that have rocked the organisation.

“Papa Massata Diack has also written to the IAAF confirming he will suspend his activities on behalf of the IAAF until the commission has delivered its final report,” a statement said.

The head of Russia’s Athletics Federation (VFLA), Valentin Balakhnichev, has also stepped down from his role as IAAF treasurer.

Balakhnichev told Russia’s ITAR-TASS news agency that he had volunteered to stand down while the investigation was taking place but planned to return to his job.

“I sent a letter today to the president of the IAAF, Lamine Diack, with the offer of temporarily ceasing to work as treasurer and as a member of the council of this organisation,” Balakhnichev told TASS.

The IAAF launched an investigation into the claims, made by a German television documentary, alleging widespread doping and cover-ups among Russian track and field competitors and some high-ranking officials.

Balakhnichev has denied any knowledge of doping, denouncing the claims as “a pack of lies”.

“Over the last few days the VFLA and I have been the victims of a vicious campaign, which has brought concerns amongst my colleagues from the IAAF,” he said.

“I feel it is the correct decision to stop my work with the IAAF, until this investigation into the doping scandal finishes.

“However, during this period of an enforced holiday, I will be working for the good of athletics and will continue to give everything in the fight against doping.”

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.