The International Association of Athletics Federations has appointed Olivier Gers as its new chief executive, as the organisation looks to repair athletics’ reputation.
The 46-year-old will join the world governing body in October and admitted he must rebuild trust, following the Russian doping scandal.
Russia’s athletics team were suspended by the IAAF in November and in July the McLaren report detailed the degree of state-run doping in Russia at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and other events. Russia President, Vladimir Putin also accused IAAF of ‘blatant discrimination’ for banning almost their entire Olympic track and field team for this year’s Games in Rio after the International Olympic Committee’s executive board decided against a blanket ban of the Russian team.
Gers, who is now in Brazil for the Olympics, said: ‘Sport is the purest expression of human possibility and all sport is anchored in the disciplines of athletics.
‘The IAAF is at a challenging and exciting junction. It is a multi-million dollar business that needs to stay relevant, build its fan base and re-establish trust.
‘Sitting at the heart of the sport are the athletes and their remarkable achievements.
‘Bringing the global athletes and their fans closer together through technology is the ultimate goal to driving the business of athletics forward and I believe my commercial, marketing and digital experience will help to achieve this.’

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