IAAF expert says no way to put time frame on Russian probe

Published Nov. 17, 2015 3:24 p.m. ET

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) The man in charge of the IAAF's probe into Russia's track team says there's no way to put a timeline on how long the investigation might take.

Norwegian anti-doping expert Rune Andersen, who is in charge of a five-person inspection panel, attended the World Anti-Doping Agency's meeting in Colorado on Tuesday. With the Rio Olympics less than nine months away, Andersen said there was no way of knowing when the investigation would be complete.

''Whether it's one month, two months or a year, it's impossible to say,'' Andersen said.

The IAAF provisionally suspended the Russian track team after an independent committee appointed by WADA detailed corruption on the team and in the country's anti-doping program.

The Russian government and International Olympic Committee recently outlined a plan to bring the track team back into compliance, but no time frame has been confirmed.

On Monday, a group of anti-doping leaders said the team should not be allowed to compete because there's no way to completely ensure the program and its athletes are clean in a nine-month window.

The IAAF has jurisdiction over the Russian track team's return.

Also Tuesday, the IAAF announced the rest of the inspection panel: IAAF Council members Abby Hoffman of Canada, Anna Riccardi of Italy, Frank Fredericks of Namibia and Geoff Gardner of Norfolk Island.