Valentin Maslakov, head coach of Russia athletics team has resigned from his role amid series of doping scandals that have plagued the country over the years.
An online portal, the Insidegames on Saturday said that the 70-year- old Maslakov offered his resignation after a German television documentary that reported a systematic doping within the team.
According to the portal, the coach came on board as the head of Russian athletics team in 2007 with a coaching career spanning to 40 years.
It said that the decision came just days after five Russian race walkers, including Olympic champions Sergei Kirdyapkin, Olga Kaniskina and Sergei Bakulin, were banned for failed drugs tests dating back to 2012.
It added that Valentin Balakhnichev, President of the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF), described Maslakov's decision as a courageous act of the profession.
"We discussed this together after the effect the doping revelations have had on Russian athletics.
"Even though Maslakov has nothing to do with anti-doping policies of the athletics team, he cannot stand by idly and decided to take responsibility for those he was in charge of," it said.
Russian sport had been in turmoil since German television station ARD released a three-part documentary in December 2014 claiming systematic doping in Russian athletics.
The documentary also alleged government involvement and a mass cover-up.
The portal also said that Russian Sports Minister, Vitaly Mutko, dismissed the allegations as being aimed at humiliating sport in the country.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had also expressed concerns over the number of Russian doping cases.
It said that IAAF raised concern after it was revealed that 23 of the 37 athletes sanctioned under the IAAF's biological passport programmes since 2009 were Russians.
The World Anti-Doping Agency also opened investigation into allegations of widespread doping and corruption in the sport.
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