IAAF president Sebastian Coe on Sunday expressed shock, anger and sadness at allegations of high-level bribery to cover up doping in track and field.

"I'm shocked, angry and largely saddened," Coe told AFP, adding that the allegations that surfaced on Monday had come as a complete surprise.

"The allegations that we woke up to around the potential for extortion and blackmail came out of the blue and the vast majority in the sport probably share exactly the same emotions I've just expressed. It's shock, anger and sadness."

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