Nick Davies apparently knew about a number of Russian doping cases in 2013 and discussed a secret plan to delay naming those involved before the World Championships in Moscow that year.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/21/sebastian-coe-aide-leaked-emails-russia-doping-scandal
Interesting that the reference to Saugy as a "Plan B" is cut off in Seppelt's image and no mention is made in the story. That's a whole other level of futility.
“I believe if we consider using CSM we can also benefit from Seb’s political influence in the UK,†wrote Davies.
OMG!
And Seb's response via his lawyers:
https://twitter.com/hajoseppelt/status/679064969749651457
I would say unbelievable, but this is wholly believable from the hideous arrogant man running our sport...
Personally I don't think it's enough to sink Coe. There's not evidence that he actually acted in this particular plan, just an email saying it might be a good idea to get a company of his involved.
The prompt litigation is interesting. When an organisation has Lawyers at hand ready to act that quickly it suggest it has something to hide.
For me, if the journalist keep throwing mud, something will stick eventually.
I'm boycotting all IAAF events until Coe is gone.
I think we're now at the stage that this needs a broom. Coe can either be it, or be swept away by it.
There is clearly an entitled elite in the IAAF and a culture that has existed for a long time of turning a blind eye to 'indiscretions' as long as the sport is perceived to be doing OK commercially. I fully agree that the immediate appearance of the lawyer's letter is only circumstantial evidence of paranoia (or an expectation that there are will be further fallout imminently) but it is nevertheless circumstantially damning. Whether or not it equates to sufficient evidence to start the ball rolling on the wholesale dismantling of the current IAAF model is a question for lawyers and I'm not a lawyer.
As a longstanding Coe fan and a supporter of him becoming President, I am now desperately clinging on to the idea that Coe wanted to become president of the IAAF in order to change the corruption that he observed. The only way to change is from the inside and all that. It's becoming more and more difficult to hold onto this idea with any credibility, though. The more these revelations swirl around Coe, the less believable it is that he was not complicit to some extent. As far as I can see, the only trump card he has left is Dick Pound's frequently stated view that Coe is still the man to lead the IAAF despite the imminent shitstorm that is the second half of the report due in mid January. I wonder what Pound's view is now?
Coe needs to make a statement soon. Davies needs to fall on his own sword. Something needs to be seen to be done or this could sink even further.
So if I understand all the press correctly:
- The secret plan was to ban the athletes from competition, and only delay the already overdue announcement until after the World Championships.
- They proposed to use Coe and Chime Sports Marketing, but apparently this was not followed up.
- Coe was unaware of this exchange.
This doesn't seem like an unreasonable exchange between marketing people, and Davies makes it clear that the athletes should not compete.
What are the reporting requirements for banned athletes?
While this works against transparency, it doesn't seem like Navies proposed anything scandalous.
How could this sink Coe?
Are you for real !!
Davis the man who Coe promoted on being elected President, acknowledging that there are loads of Russians who've failed tests, that they have done nothing about so far and then will continue to delay reporting on. This in tandem with now known knowledge that members were taking / offering bribes to certain Russian athletes, for the failed tests to disappear !
Davis stating he will do anything to protect the IAAF, quotes Coe's company and we are supposed to believe that Coe was unaware of any of this, the man who is no 2 in IAAF !!
The lengths people will go to to justify their heroes. The man let's not forget who was in charge of ethics at FIFA that well known respected organisation !
Its made me dig deeper into his past running career and unfortunately I now understand the incredulity of Linford C .
Coe Must Go!
Current IAAF chief of Staff was aware of Russian cover-up in 2013 & tried to minimize media- But Coe said he had no idea.
Doping in athletics: the mail compromising the former spokesman of the International Federation
Worldwide | 12.21.2015 at 12:43 • Updated 12/21/2015 at 6:37 p.m. |
By Yann Bouchez
This is a new case that comes even thicken the stack already provided embarrassing records to be managed Sebastian Coe, chairman of the International Federation of Athletics (IAAF). The world could see an email showing that the current right-hand man Mr. Coe, Nick Davies, chief of staff of the new IAAF President since September, was aware of cases of doping covered by IAAF in the Russian athletics since at least 2013. Above all, this email shows how Mr Davies, a former spokesman for the IAAF, has tried to develop a communication strategy so that these cases troublesome for world athletics, have the least possible media coverage.
The message in question, paid to the court record of the investigation currently underway on corruption to the IAAF, spoke July 19, 2013 at 16 hours 11 Massata Papa Diack. Let a few days of Championships World Athletics Moscow (from 10 to 18 August). Papa Diack Massata son of Lamine Diack, the former president of the IAAF, is the marketing consultant time for the international federation. Functions he occupies more since late 2014. "PMD" is suspected of being in the heart of the corruption case against a backdrop of doping, which currently undermines the IAAF.
"This must remain top secret," said Nick Davies immediately. After reading the email, we understand the prudence of the former spokesman for the IAAF. "I need to sit down to talk with the doping department and understand exactly what the" corpses " Russian we have always in the closet, regarding doping, "says Davies.
Minimize revelations
At that time, several biological passports of Russian athletes appeared abnormal. "I think the case of different athletes should have to be disclosed some time ago and we now need to be smart, says Mr Davies. These athletes, of course should NOT be part of the team of Russia at these world championships and it would put pressure on Valentin [Balakhnichev, president of the Russian Athletics Federation] to ensure that is the case. If the perpetrators do not participate in the competition, then we might well expect that ending championships to announce cases. Or we announce one or two BUT AT THE SAME TIME as athletes from other countries. "
The objective of Nick Davies seems very clear: it is minimizing the doping case of revelations in the Russian athletics "We can too. Prepare a dossier on the IAAF anti-doping tests, he explains, which will show that one of the reasons that many Russians are positive is that they are much control !!! Similarly, we can highlight the fact that the laboratory WADA [the Moscow, most likely] is the responsibility of WADA and WADA decides that if there really is a problem we have a plan B to perform the tests in Lausanne (Gabriel told me that yesterday). "
The "Gabriel" mentioned is Dr. Gabriel Dollé, then head of the IAAF anti-doping department and now indicted for "passive corruption" in the investigation on 1 October by the National Financial parquet, alongside the former IAAF President Lamine Diack and his adviser personal legal Habib Cissé.
The role of Sebastian Coe
In less than a month the Moscow Worlds, the spokesman informed his interlocutor that he wants to set up "unofficially", a "campaign PR [PR] to ensure that we avoid international media scandals Championships in Moscow, especially in the British press, where do the worst items. "To meet this goal, says Nick Davies consider" using CSM ". "MSC" for Chime Sports Marketing, an agency specializing in sports marketing, to have the general manager called ... Sebastian Coe - who, in 2013, was one of four vice-presidents of the IAAF.
Nick Davies also mentions the role that could play his compatriot and friend: "We can also take advantage of the influence political Seb in the UK. It is in their personal interest to ensure that the world championships in Moscow are a success and that people do not think the media of their own country are not trying to look at the destruction. We work hard to stop all attacks planned by the British press regarding Russia in the weeks to come. "
Ten days after the message from Nick Davies, July 29, 2013, Papa Diack Massata address an e-mail to his father, entitled "strictly confidential", as revealed by Le Monde, Friday, December 18th. "PMD" writes Valentin Balakhnichev the requested "to intervene internally with the IAAF staff that was antagonistic to him in that folder management process since September 2012 and to this end, a lobbying and explanation was made ​​[...]. "Contacted by Le Monde last weekend, Nick Davies had denied" the allegation firmly. Unfortunately, I believe the tactics of those accused is trying to prove that other people are involved in their plans. I had no idea. "
Read also: The incredible confessions of Lamine Diack, a former president of the International Association of Athletics Federations
Joined again by Le Monde, this time about his e-mail, Nick Davies did learn in a statement, dédouanant the IAAF President:
"My e-mail sent less than a month before the World Championships in Moscow at the IAAF marketing consultant then Massata Papa Diack, consisted of an exchange of ideas about possible strategies related to relationships Press to serious challenges faced around the image of the competition. No plan was put in place following this e-mail and there is absolutely no possibility that a strategy or a media plan / PR may interfere with the anti-doping procedure. I have not discussed these ideas with CSM and there was never any agreement between the IAAF and CSM to develop a public relations campaign. CSM has never worked for the IAAF in any capacity whatsoever since Sebastian Coe is a member. "
Multiple media storms
"What is very clear is that Sebastian will not respond to e-mails which he knows nothing," said for his part in the World Jackie Brock-Doyle, connected to CSM and the IAAF.
This new revelation is likely to further weaken a little Sebastian Coe. The new president of the IAAF, who took office August 31, 2015, had to face in recent weeks, several media storms. There was the doping substance on corruption investigation against former members of the IAAF, including Le Monde revealed advanced, December 18, after a controversy over conflicts of interest that could raise its ambassador income Nike, in particular concerning the allocation of World Championships in 2021 to Eugene (city sports brand), Mr. Coe also had to announce, November 26, the end of its collaboration with the equipment manufacturer, which brought him 142,000 per year.
Read also: Athletics: Sebastian Coe leaves his post as ambassador to Nike
Heard by the Committee on Culture, Media and Sport of the British Parliament, December 2, Lord Sebastian Coe had defended the institution he chairs. Asked whether he had heard "rumors" of corruption to the IAAF, the double Olympic champion in the 1,500 m had answered "no." Adding, about the International Athletics Federation, "No, it was not a corrupt organization. "Regarding possible abuses of the institution, the President added:" Are there any shortcomings? Yes I do. Are we going to fix? Absolutely. I am totally focused on this mission. Without this, there will be no tomorrow for my sports. We are at a crossroads. "
Extracts email from Nick Davies Papa Diack Massata
Excerpts in English, e-mail sent July 19, 2013 by Nick Davies Massata Papa Diack:
"Dear Dad,
Following our discussions Earlier I have already HAD Some thoughts and believe we need to do That the following, in the strictest confidence and control Within a small circle of senior IAAF staff only. This mut be very secret.
(...)
4. Finally, as soon as possible, and 'unofficially' PR campaign to Ensure That We AVOID international media scandals related to the Moscow Championships Especially in the British press, Where the worst of the items is coming from. This Will require specialist PR skills (working only with me Directly) from London, I believe That goal if we Consider using CSM We Can aussi benefit from Seb's political impact in the UK. It Is In His personal interest to Ensure que la Moscow World Champs is a success and That people do not think que la media de son own country are try trying to destroy it. We can work extremely hard in stopping Any planed 'attack' is Russia from the British press press in the coming weeks.
5. Finally, I need to be reliable to sit down with the Anti-doping department and Understand exactly what Russian 'skeleton' we-have still in the cupboard Regarding doping. I think-have time to que le unveiled the various athletes Was a long time ago and we now need to Log That be smart. These athletes, of course, be shoulds NOT share of thesis Any Russian team for World Championships and Valentin shoulds be pressurized to make on this is the case. If the guilty ones are not competing Then We might as well wait up to the event is over to announce em. Now we announce one or two BUT AT THE SAME TIME as athletes from countries --other. Also we can prepare a special IAAF testing on folder qui Will show That One of the Reasons Why thesis Russian athletes come up positive Is That They get tested a lot !!! In the Sami way, we can make the point que la WADA laboratory is the responsibility of WADA not IAAF and That if WADA Decides There really is a problem, we-have a plan B to do the tests in Lausanne INSTEAD (Gabriel confirmed this to me yesterday).
Dad, as soon as I have an idea of ​​the price of this unofficial PR campaign I will let you know, I will do everything purpose in my power to protect the IAAF and the President.
All the best Nick "
The press Nick Davies
Here is the full text of the statement sent by Nick Davies in "World" Monday, December 21:
"As Director of Communication of the IAAF, manage and promote the reputation of the IAAF were among my responsibilities.
My e-mail sent less than a month before the World Championships in Moscow Marketing Consultant IAAF then, Papa Diack Massata, consisted of an exchange of ideas about possible strategies related to media relations to serious challenges faced around the image of the competition.
No plan was put in place following this email and there is absolutely no possibility that a strategy or a media plan / PR may interfere with the anti-doping procedure.
I have not discussed these ideas with CSM and there was never any agreement between the IAAF and CSM to develop a public relations campaign. CSM has never worked for the IAAF in any capacity whatsoever since Sebastian Coe is a member.
Following your article about alleged corruption concerning Lamine Diack (article published on December 18), I said that I absolutely have never been involved in any criminal conspiracy involving representatives from the IAAF. I never received payments in connection with these conspiracies.
I had no knowledge in 2013 that official IAAF may be involved in criminal conduct related to doping cases, as I have no knowledge of any case of doping was not treaty should have been, or any doping suspension was not published in time stipulated by the IAAF Rules.
When information concerning allegations of corruption were given to me in early 2014, I was one of the employees of the IAAF having seized the IAAF Ethical Commission and contributing the investigation that followed. I was also a member of IAAF staff having offered, and continuing to provide - voluntarily - my full support to the Independent Commission investigators to WADA and to the Monegasque and French Police . "
Yann Bouchez
Journalist Sport Service
Thanks for this translated article, Yann. Sums up the relevant threads very succinctly.
So here's me thinking that the firestorm was coming in Part 2 of Pound's report in mid January! I suspect Christmas cheer in very short supply in the IAAF HQ in Monaco. Ho ho no indeed.
Where is the statement from Coe? Where is the unambiguous action to amputate Davies from the IAAF? Without this, Coe is doomed. He may well be already.
Diack/Coe? That story gets more and more reminiscent to Fifa's Blatter and Platini; we are just a few months behind.
The soccer fans were more lucky: Platini came under scrutiny just in time before the election.
It is conceivable that Coe did not know of this dialog between Nick Davies and Diack's son. Personally, I think that is unlikely. But regardless of the specifics here, it is becoming clear to many of us that Coe has too much baggage to carry the IAAF forward. A leader rebuilding an organization needs two things: 1) the will to impose change, and 2) the legitimacy to enforce change. My view is that Coe no longer has legitimacy. Those inclined to cheat or to be involved in bribery will not be motivated to change their ways given the sort of relationships Coe with people in known to have been corrupt. Is this entirely fair to Coe? Doesn't matter. He should resign for the good of the IAAF. Unfortunately, his loyalty is to burnishing the idolatry of Lord Coe the Great--not to the good of Track and Field. So he will stay in the job unless or until something forces him to leave--and I fear that as a result of this serious change will not come to the organization.
As I said earlier, I'm still holding onto the idea that Coe ultimately has the good of athletics as his default position. Whether that is enough for him to retain the perceived credibility to move the organisation forward, I don't know.
Whatever happens now, he is going to get burned by the world's press. If he stays, he's corrupt and self-seeking (rather than tenacious and determined). If he goes, he's guilty or at the very least has something to hide (rather than recognising he is tarnished goods, doing the decent thing and stepping aside).
Steve Ovett - if you are reading this, take Seb out for a beer. God knows he could do with one (or several!).
Fentrekker wrote:
It is conceivable that Coe did not know of this dialog between Nick Davies and Diack's son. Personally, I think that is unlikely. But regardless of the specifics here, it is becoming clear to many of us that Coe has too much baggage to carry the IAAF forward. A leader rebuilding an organization needs two things: 1) the will to impose change, and 2) the legitimacy to enforce change. My view is that Coe no longer has legitimacy. Those inclined to cheat or to be involved in bribery will not be motivated to change their ways given the sort of relationships Coe with people in known to have been corrupt. Is this entirely fair to Coe? Doesn't matter. He should resign for the good of the IAAF. Unfortunately, his loyalty is to burnishing the idolatry of Lord Coe the Great--not to the good of Track and Field. So he will stay in the job unless or until something forces him to leave--and I fear that as a result of this serious change will not come to the organization.
He is either incompetent and clueless or corrupt...take your pick...
Fentrekker wrote:
It is conceivable that Coe did not know of this dialog between Nick Davies and Diack's son. Personally, I think that is unlikely. But regardless of the specifics here, it is becoming clear to many of us that Coe has too much baggage to carry the IAAF forward. A leader rebuilding an organization needs two things: 1) the will to impose change, and 2) the legitimacy to enforce change. My view is that Coe no longer has legitimacy. Those inclined to cheat or to be involved in bribery will not be motivated to change their ways given the sort of relationships Coe with people in known to have been corrupt. Is this entirely fair to Coe? Doesn't matter. He should resign for the good of the IAAF. Unfortunately, his loyalty is to burnishing the idolatry of Lord Coe the Great--not to the good of Track and Field. So he will stay in the job unless or until something forces him to leave--and I fear that as a result of this serious change will not come to the organization.
^^ This. There are many people in the world who could lead the IAAF out of this mess, so it's not like Coe is the only hope. It may be unfair if he is innocent, but sometimes you just have to take one for the team.
Fentrekker wrote:
Nick Davies apparently knew about a number of Russian doping cases in 2013 and discussed a secret plan to delay naming those involved before the World Championships in Moscow that year.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/21/sebastian-coe-aide-leaked-emails-russia-doping-scandal
Of course Seb has been scheming/cheating. This is Seb we are talking about here. You can't dope your way to the top in politics. He had to come up with some new strategies.
rekrunner wrote:
So if I understand all the press correctly:
- The secret plan was to ban the athletes from competition, and only delay the already overdue announcement until after the World Championships.
- They proposed to use Coe and Chime Sports Marketing, but apparently this was not followed up.
- Coe was unaware of this exchange.
This doesn't seem like an unreasonable exchange between marketing people, and Davies makes it clear that the athletes should not compete.
What are the reporting requirements for banned athletes?
While this works against transparency, it doesn't seem like Navies proposed anything scandalous.
How could this sink Coe?
Sounds like similar evidence the NFL had against Brady in deflategate...There will be a lot of uproar surrounding Coe, but ultimately he'll get off.
What did Linford say?