Ex-olympic medallist Fredericks suspended from athletics
● Namibian sprint star investigated over alleged corruption linked to Rio 2016 vote
Four-time Olympic medallist Frank Fredericks has been suspended from duty by track and field’s governing body, the IAAF, while he is investigated for alleged corruption, suspected of being linked to the 2016 Olympics hosting vote.
The independent Athletics Integrity Unit said yesterday that its request for an interim ban on Fredericks, the former sprinter from Namibia, was granted by the IAAF disciplinary panel.
Fredericks, who is also an International Olympic Committee member, is separately being investigated by the IOC ethics commission over a near-$300,000 payment he received on 2 October 2009 – the same day Rio de Janeiro won the 2016 Olympic hosting vote in a four-city contest.
French daily Le Monde alleged in March that the payment came from a Brazilian businessman and was channeled through a sports marketing company created by Papa Massata Diack, the son of former IAAF president Lamine Diack.
Both Diacks are implicated by French prosecutors in a corruption case that includes extorting money from athletes to cover up doping.
Fredericks denies 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.
“I am not prepared to voluntarily consent not to undertake my duties in respect of the position I hold as IAAF council member,” Fredericks wrote to the disciplinary panel.
However, he did agree to avoid attending a meeting in London next month on the sidelines of the 4-13 August world championships.
Fredericks plans to contest the suspension at a hearing, the integrity unit says.
In its published interim ruling, the IAAF disciplinary panel said Fredericks had the presumption of innocence while under investigation.
Still, the panel chairman noted that “Fredericks has not, in the answers and explanations he has provided to date, disturbed the prima facie case of matters warranting investigation.” Those matters include “whether there was any connection between the payment and the IOC vote to award the 2016 summer Olympics to Rio de Janeiro,” the IAAF panel said.
The statement added: “The order for provisional suspension does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation which the athletics integrity unit is carrying out.
“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.”
Fredericks was seen as a rising star in Olympic circles until the case was reported. He had to resign as chairman of the IOC panel evaluating the bids of Los Angeles and Paris to host the 2024 Olympics, and agreed not to take part in that hosting decision due in September. The 49-year-old official won silver medals in 100 and 200 metres at both the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Fredericks also quit an IAAF taskforce that is overseeing Russia’s return to international competition following its well-documented doping issues. Despite Fredericks’ decision to voluntarily stand down from these roles, the AIU said the allegation was sufficiently “serious” that it needs “careful investigation” and therefore a provisional ban was in “the interests of the sport”.
Fredericks, however, has told the AIU he will appeal against his suspension and that application will be heard by an IAAF disciplinary tribunal.