International Association of Athletics Federations

Greece, host of the first modern games in 1896, regained International Olympic Committee representation after four years on Wednesday when the head of its Olympic body Spyros Capralos was elected as one of 10 new members to the global organization.

These days, one of the main topics of discussion in Turkey is far from sports and its ethics due to the approaching referendum. However, with the latest news that added three more Turkish national athletes to the long chain of Turkish sportspeople who have been tested positive with doping, I wanted to write about the need for doping.

Ethiopian-Turkish middle and long distance runner Elvan Abeylegesse has been banned from sports for two years by the Turkish Athletics Federation (TAF) for using a banned substance.

Turkish Olympic gold medalist Asl? Çak?r Alptekin was offered to bribe two sons of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) former president Lamine Diack to whitewash her positive doping test in late 2012, according to a second report by the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) independent commission report revealed Jan.

Russia rejected on Nov. 10 explosive accusations of doping and corruption and promised a rapid response to avoid suspension from the 2016 Olympics due to the scandal that threatens to spread far beyond the borders of Russia and athletics.

"Until any proof has been put forward, it is hard to accept any accusations as they seem rather groundless," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Olympic champion Asl? Çak?r Alptekin, who was stripped of her 1,500-meter title and handed an eight-year ban for blood doping on Aug. 17, has denied any wrongdoing.

?No banned substance has been found in the samples I gave during competitions, including the 2012 London Olympics, and the off season,? Alptekin said Aug. 21 in a written statement. 

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has accepted Kosovo as its full-fledged member, the TASS news agency has reported.

The decision was announced at the IAFF congress in Beijing. A total of 204 delegates took part in the vote.

Olympic champion Asli Çak?r Alptekin has agreed to give up her 1,500-meter title and serve an 8-year ban for blood doping, dealing another blow to track and field.

BEIJING - The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has admitted the Kosovo Athletic Federation into provisional membership, the organization's executive committee said on Wednesday.

BELGRADE - This year's 28th Belgrade Marathon has become the first European event of its kind to be awarded the quality and safety certificate of European Athletics (EA), said a statement released from the organisation's headquarters in Geneva on Monday,