Former IAAF boss, Lamine Diack to face trial a day after 87th birthday

The trial of former IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) President Lamine Diack, who has been accused of corruption, influence-trafficking and money laundering, has finally been slated to start June 8. It was originally due to start in January, before being moved back to June 3. French media are now reporting it is due to begin on June 8, one day after Diack’s 87th birthday, although the exact reason for the further delay is unknown. Diack, who led the IAAF from 1999 to 2015, is charged with “giving and receiving bribes”, “breach of trust” and “organised money laundering” and is facing a potential 10-year prison sentence for allegedly taking bribes to cover up tests showing doping by 23 Russian athletes, as reported by France 24. Prosecutors allege Diack, who was arrested in November 2015, obtained $1.5 million (£1.2 million/€1.36 million) of Russian funds to help fund Macky Sall’s successful campaign for President of Senegal in 2012, in exchange for the IAAF’s anti-doping arm covering up offences by Russian athletes. The trial will take place in Paris and is expected to last 10 days, as reported by L’Equipe.