IAAF boss Coe seeks roadmap for Russia reintegration

Rio de Janeiro (dpa) - World athletics body IAAF aims to reintegrate Russia, which is currently suspended in connection with widespread doping in the country, IAAF president Sebastian Coe said Saturday."I asked the task force to figure out a roadmap for a continued dialogue ... Our focus must be the reinstatement of the Russian Federation, the work must start straight away," Coe told a news conference at the Rio Olympics.The Russian Federation was suspended in November 2015, and the IAAF decided in June that Russian athletes could not compete in Rio. The only exception was US-based long jumper Darya Klishina, who could prove doping controls outside Russia."We followed a process very carefully. We took the decision in the best interest of the sport," Coe said.The suspension of Russian athletes was harshly criticised by in Russia, including by pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, who suggested Friday that Coe was not interested in meeting with her."I actually have a handwritten letter to her which I will pass over when I see her. I will keep it until the temperature cools down," Coe said.Coe also said it was important to provide a platform for athletes who have suspicions and want to share them, following the case of Russian whistleblower Yulia Stepanova who triggered Russia‘s suspension when she shared her knowledge about doping in Russia with German public broadcaster ARD."We need to create platforms for athletes to speak out. I don‘t want to see athletes demonising others but rather have a platform where they can voice their concerns," Coe said."I don‘t want athletes to be publicly humiliated," he added.