ATHLETICS:Athletes who were victims of the former East Germany's doping programme will receive €9,250 each in compensation under a deal agreed yesterday with the German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB). The deal means 167 recognised victims of the programme will benefit at a total cost of over €1.5 million.

Many victims said they unwittingly received drugs when they were children. Some complained of suffering from heart deformities, liver failure and cancer, as well as voice changes and other health problems.

The German government is contributing to the financial settlement, which brings the case to a conclusion following the threat of legal action. "Above all, the important thing is the recognition that these people were victims," Michael Lehner, one of the representatives of the former athletes, said in a statement released by the DOSB.