The Taskforce formed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to assess whether the Russian athletics federation (ARAF) has put in place the necessary reforms in order to be re-admitted to the IAAF will present its first report to the IAAF Council on 11 March. The report will be presented by Taskforce Chairman Rune Andersen on the second day of the IAAF Council meeting, which will take place at the Fairmont Hotel in Monaco. Russian Deputy Minister of Sports, Yuri Nagornykh, told local media that Russia is preparing a team of 450 athletes for the Rio 2016 Olympics, irrespective of whether or not the country will be allowed to compete.

Paul Deighton (pictured) will also present his review of the corporate governance structure of the IAAF to the Council. Deighton was appointed to oversee a ‘forensic review’ of operations and finance, conducted by accountants Deloitte and legal firm Freshfields. The IAAF told the Sports Integrity Initiative that the review will encompass all sponsorship and television deals agreed by the IAAF. The Independent Commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found that certain deals may have been connected to covering up doping positives. Deighton’s full report is expected to be completed in mid-2016.