IAAF suspends Frank

IAAF suspends FrankPayment probe against Namibian continues The Namibian sprint legend has been suspended while being investigated over alleged corruption. STAFF REPORTER



The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) yesterday provisionally suspended its council member and Namibian sprint legend Frank Fredericks over corruption allegations.

Fredericks is under investigation for alleged corruption suspected of being linked to the 2016 Olympics hosting vote. Fredericks was placed under investigation in March this year after having been paid nearly N$4 million by a disgraced IAAF official.

He reportedly received the amount on 2 October 2009 - the same day Rio de Janeiro won the 2016 Olympic hosting vote in a four-city contest. A request by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for an interim ban on Fredericks was granted by the IAAF disciplinary panel.

Fredericks could not be reached for comment yesterday, but the AIU statement noted that he had indicated that he intended to contest suspension at a provisional hearing.

“Mr Fredericks enjoys the presumption of innocence until the conclusion of that investigative process and any disciplinary process which may follow depending on the results of the investigation. The investigation will be led by Sir Anthony Hooper, a former judge of the English Court of Appeal and an experienced investigator in the context of sports integrity,” the AIU stated in a statement.

According to reports, Fredericks had received US$299 300 (equivalent to N$3.9 million) from sports businessman Papa Massata Diack, the son of former International Olympics Committee (IOC) member and IAAF president Lamine Diack, in 2009.

A French-led investigation has since been under way to find out whether large sums were paid to buy the votes that determined the host cities of the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. Rio de Janeiro hosted the 2016 Games, while Tokyo will host the 2020 Games.

“An order for provisional suspension is not any early indication of guilt or innocence and orders for provisional suspension may be sought by the Athletics Integrity Unit and imposed by the Disciplinary Tribunal on a precautionary basis in cases where the interests of the sport favour the suspension of an IAAF office holder, employee or participant in the sport pending investigation of potential ethical breaches in the sport,” the AIU said.

Fredericks has denied wrongdoing, claiming the money was for contracted consultancy work. He previously offered to step aside from his IOC work and his IAAF duties except his seat on the ruling council.

‘Nothing untoward’

In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde, Fredericks defended the payment, saying it had “nothing whatsoever to do with the Olympic Games”.

“The amount of US$300 000 paid by Pamodzi Sports Consulting to Yemi Limited was paid pursuant to the terms of a contract dated 11 March 2007,” Fredericks was quoted as saying by Le Monde.

“I had the idea to develop a relay championship. In addition I supported the IAAF Marketing Programme, the African Athletics Programme, the IAAF Continental Programme and the African Athletics Championships.

“My attendance at various events and promotional efforts is documented and accordingly these services can be substantiated by other evidence.

“Payment was in respect of services rendered in the period 2007 to 2011. The payment has nothing whatsoever to do with the Olympic Games.

“By the way, I was not an IAAF board member at the time, but an IAAF ambassador, and did not breach any regulation or rule of ethics.”