World athletics governing body the IAAF on Tuesday appointed Frenchman Jean Gracia as their new interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The former athlete's appointment follows a review of the scandal-hit body's organisational structure following Sebastian Coe's election as president last September.

"A shortlist of international candidates is being drawn-up and it is hoped that the IAAF will be in a position to make an appointment by the middle of the year," the IAAF said in a statement.

"Until that appointment is made, Jean Gracia has been appointed to support the day-to-day operations of the IAAF HQ in Monaco as the Interim CEO/General Secretary."

Spanish-born Gracia, 60, is a former General Secretary of the French Athletics Federation and a current vice-president of European Athletics.

"He will act as the focal point for all our Member Federations and partners, and support me with work involving the Executive Board and Council," said Coe, adding that the new appointment "brings vast experience and will assist the continued smooth running of the association in the interim".

Since taking over from the disgraced Lamine Diack, Coe has had to battle through a scandal that has seen Russia banned over "state-sponsored" doping and a raft of top officials, including Diack, accused of taking bribes from doped athletes.

Source: AFP