In a statement to clarify recent media enquires the IAAF said;

“All athletes were caught under the IAAF Athlete Biological Passport programme (ABP) although, as per IAAF Rules, the cases are sent to the Russian Federation (ARAF) for adjudication.

The IAAF is satisfied that we have found aggravating circumstances in all cases, as we requested when referring the case to the Russian authorities.

As a result of these cases, major international titles will be redistributed, however not until the IAAF has received, and carefully analysed, the full reasoned decision from ARAF to ensure they are in strict compliance with IAAF Rules.”

The Russian anti-doping federation imposed results cancellation on the five athlete’s yesterday, though the IAAF are sure to impose harsher punishments.

Olive Loughnane is now almost certain to be upgraded to World championship gold as Olga Kaniskina received a results cancellation for the day she defeated Loughnane by 49 seconds.

Today’s news from the IAAF is very good news for Rob Heffernan who finished fourth at the London 2012 Olympic 50k walk.

Seregi Kirdyapkin winner in London was also issued a results cancellation though this was outside the period of London 2012.

The IAAF will now review the details and would possibly impose a retrospective ban from prior to the Olympic Games, removing Kirdyapkin’s gold and upgrading Heffernan to bronze.

A German TV documentary last month alleged wide spread doping use by Russian athlete’s which was being covered up by ARAF.

The IAAF promised to fully investigate the issue at the time. In today’s statement the IAAF added,

“The number of Russian doping cases in athletics generally, and in race walking specifically, is a major concern for the IAAF and we are fully investigating recent doping allegations in Russian athletics, with WADA’s support.”

Yesterday’s announcement now brings the total of Russian athlete’s with blood passport violations to 23. There have been a total of 37 since the programme launched in 2009.