The Russian athletics federation elected Dmitry Shlyakhtin as its new president on Saturday (16 January) as it tries to end the country's suspension from Olympic track and field.

The Russian athletics federation elected Dmitry Shlyakhtin as its new President on Saturday (11th January).
Russia are currently suspended from competing in international track and field competitions, including the Olympics, after a vast state-sponsored doping operation was uncovered last year.
Shlyakhtin is the man tasked with turning around Russian athletics' image and he has vowed to follow recommendations set by the IAAF for Russia's re-instatement.

SOUNDBITE (Russian) Dmitry Shlyakhtin, President of the All-Russia Athletics Federation:

"The task is simple: to bring the athletics back to the world stage, to restore the trust, to restore the trust of the WADA. To bring back all the boys and girls that can participate in the serious international competitions, back everyone. We know we are banned from participation today. So we will be working, 10 months is the term that is needed to restore the full trust that was unfortunately lost."

The World Anti-Doping Agency released their report into doping in athletics on Friday - an hope their recommendations will help clean up the tainted image of the sport,
With the Rio Olympics taking place this year Shlyakhtin faces a battle to clean up the tainted image of Russian athletics.