Report: Diack confesses asking Russia for €1.5 million to help fund political campaign

Former International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) President Lamine Diack has reportedly admitted to French police he asked Russia for €1.5 million (£1.1 million/$1.6 million) to help him mount a political campaign in his native Senegal.

France's National Office for Financial Prosecutions is currently investigating Diack, who stepped down as IAAF President in August when he was succeeded by Britain's Sebastian Coe.

The police suspect Diack of taking the money to help cover-up positive drugs tests involving Russian athletes.

French newspaper Le Monde claimed it has obtained transcripts of Diack's interviews with police where he admits to having spoken with former All-Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF) President and IAAF treasurer Valentin Balakhnichev in 2011 about needing money.

Diack wanted to finance opposition against Senegal's then-President Abdoulaye Wade.

The transcript reported by Le Monde said “I told him that to win the elections, I needed about €1.5 million.

“He said to me, 'We'll try to find it, no problem'.

“At that time there was these problems of suspending Russian athletes a few months ahead of the [2013] World Championships in Russia.

“We came to an agreement.

“Russia paid....

ukrainebusiness.com.ua