Lamine Diack and Son, Papa Massata Diack, To Be Charged for Corruption Related Crimes

By Adam Kopet

John Leicester of the Associated Press reports former IAAF President Lamine Diack will officially be charged by French authorities after a four-year-long investigation. The charges include corruption, influence-trafficking and money laundering.

Diack, originally from Senegal, headed the IAAF for 16 years as its President. During that time, he became one of the most powerful men in global sport, holding large influence with the International Olympic Committee.

However, after his retirement from the IAAF in 2015, allegations came to light of bribery scandals where he was payed hush money to cover-up positive doping tests, including from Russians who have been caught up in the investigation that led to the Russian Athletics Federation from being banned by the IAAF.

Diack is believed to have pocketed more than $1 million from athletes and organizations to cover-up doping offenses. He is also linked to corruption regarding the selection of Rio and Tokyo for the 2016 and 2020 Olympics through his son, Papa Massata Diack.

Already 86 years old, Diack's trial is unlikely to begin until next year. The money-laundering charge alone carries a potential 10-year prison sentence. That means, should Diack be convicted, he could likely die in prison.

While Diack has spent his last five years in France, his son is believed to be in Senegal. Interpol has issued a wanted notice for the capture and extradition to France for the younger Diack. Even if he does not find his way into French custody, he could still be tried in absentia for complicity in corruption and money laundering.

Other individuals who could face trial include Valentin Balakhnichev, a former IAAF treasurer, Alexei Melnikov, a coach who led Russia’s long-distance running program, Habib Cisse, a former legal adviser to Diack, and Gabriel Dolle, who was the IAAF anti-doping director. Balakhnichev and Melnikov could also be tried in absentia, as Russia historically has not extradited Russian citizens.