MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) yesterday set up an independent investigation into the “serious” allegations of widespread doping in Russian athletics.

The commission will be led by Richard Pound, a former head of the agency and a leading and longstanding member of the International Olympic Committee, said a WADA statement.

WADA has acted following a series of German television documentaries which said Russian athletes were systematically given banned substances at international competitions.

Russian officials have strongly denied the accusations.

The commission will seek to establish “if there have been any breaches of World Anti-Doping Code or International Standard processes or rules” including by WADA-accredited laboratories, athletes, coaches, trainers and doctors, said the statement.

It will “explore whether sufficient evidence exists that could lead to sanctions against any individual or organisation under rules of the World Anti-Doping Code”.

Richard McLaren, a leading expert on international sports law and a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), will also sit on the commission.

WADA president Craig Reedie said the commission would analyse the documentaries and information received “separately” by the agency.

“If it is found that there have been violations or breaches of the rules, WADA will ensure that any individuals or organisations concerned are dealt with in an appropriate fashion under the World Anti-Doping Code,” said Reedie.

“The commission will be given the resources it needs in order for the investigation to be carried out thoroughly,” he added.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) welcomed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announcement.

The IAAF ethics commission is also looking into the allegations.

“The IAAF takes this opportunity to reiterate its full support of the WADA investigation,” said IAAF president Lamine Diack.

“Our primary concern must always be to protect the integrity of competition in support of the vast majority of clean athletes, and we look forward to working with WADA to this end.”

An IAAF statement said the ethics commission will also “ensure all matters of concern are thoroughly and rigorously examined”.

The treasurer of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Valentin Balakhnichev, and Diack’s son have stepped down from their positions while the corruption and doping allegations are investigated.

Balakhnichev is also the president of the Russian Athletics Federation, while Diack’s son Papa Massata Diack has been working for the IAAF as a marketing consultant.

Diack has stepped down after allegations of possible corruption linked to the attribution of the 2017 world athletics championships, which was handed to London ahead of Qatar.

Both Balaknichev and 50-year-old Diack deny the respective allegations.