From Inside the Games
International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Council member Frank Fredericks has been provisionally suspended over a potential breach of the organisation’s Code of Ethics.
Michael Beloff, chairman of the IAAF Disciplinary Tribunal, imposed the suspension on the Namibian following an application made by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The investigation related to payments received by Fredericks’ company, Yemi Limited, from a company owned and controlled by Papa Massata Diack.
This was prior to Rio de Janeiro being awarded the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in October 2009, which International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Fredericks voted on.
He temporarily stepped down from his role as a Council member in March but the IAAF have now confirmed a provisional suspension.
A parallel IOC Ethics Commission investigation is also looking into the payments to the company, linked to the four-time Olympic silver medallist.
The 49-year-old former sprinter has denied any wrongdoing.
The IAAF Disciplinary Tribunal have placed Sir Anthony Hooper, a former judge at the English Court of Appeal and an experienced investigator in the context of sports integrity, in charge of the investigation.
The AIU said the provisional suspension is not an early indication of guilt or innocence, with Fredericks enjoying the presumption of innocence until the conclusion of the investigative process.
