Russian athletics federation chief Valentin Balakhnichev has resigned in the wake of allegations of widespread doping by country's competitors and corruption in the sport.
In December, a German TV documentary claimed that as many as 99 percent of Russian athletes were guilty of doping, adding that Russian officials systematically accepted payment from athletes to supply banned substances and cover up tests.
Last month, Russia's anti-doping agency had banned five walkers, including three Olympic champions.
Reflecting on the allegations, Balkhnichev said that the president takes responsibility so he decided to resign, the BBC reported.
Earlier in the week, International Association of Athletics Federations ( IAAF) president Lamine Diack admitted that the sport had been facing a 'crisis' on account of allegations of widespread doping by Russian competitors.
