Russia face possible track expulsion over faked documents

The governing body for track and field will consider expelling Russia from membership following new charges that senior officials faked medical records.

Russia has been suspended by World Athletics, formerly known as the IAAF, over widespread doping since 2015. There will be a review of whether vetted Russians should still be allowed to compete in international events as neutrals.

World Athletics has frozen talks about lifting the long-running suspension and asked its Russia task force for recommendations on expelling the country's track federation.

One route could be to close the Russian track federation and set up a new national governing body. Russia's sports minister said he had referred the federation to a commission which oversees such matters.

Federation president Dmitry Shlyakhtin and four other senior officials are accused of obstructing the investigation into 2017 world championship silver medalist Danil Lysenko, who was accused last year of failing to make himself available for drug testing.

Lysenko allegedly provided fake medical documents as an alibi with help from the officials. He and his coach have also been suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit pending full disciplinary hearings.

Also Friday, the three-time world high jump champion Mariya Lasitskene assailed Russian track leaders after they were charged Thursday, saying they have made a "doping nightmare" even worse.

Lasitskene called for swift and radical reforms, and the removal of officials appointed by Shlyakhtin.

Shlyakhtin took office shortly after the federation was suspended from international competition for widespread doping. The suspension remains in place four years later.

"Shlyakhtin and his team must quit their posts immediately and never come back. And I will make sure this happens."

Lasitskene has won two of her three world titles as a neutral athlete as a result of Russia's suspension, which also caused her to miss the 2016 Olympics.