The son of International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) president Lamine Diack stepped down from his activities with the athletics’ world governing body yesterday pending an investigation into allegations of a cover-up of systematic doping in Russia.

Papa Massata Diack, who works for the IAAF as a marketing consultant, joins Valentin Balakhnichev, the president of the Russian athletics federation and the IAAF’s treasurer, in agreeing to step down.

IAAF legal adviser Habib Cisse has also taken similar action after German television station ARD broadcast three documentaries alleging that the IAAF officials were implicated in covering up the doping in Russia.

The IAAF said in a statement: “The IAAF appreciates the gesture of council member Valentin Balakhnichev who has voluntarily decided to cease exercising his duties as IAAF treasurer and council member until the independent IAAF ethics commission’s ongoing investigation has concluded.

“IAAF marketing consultant Papa Massata Diack has also written to the IAAF confirming that he will suspend his activities on behalf of the IAAF until the commission has delivered its final report.”