The IAAF has confirmed disciplinary action has been initiated against 28 athletes who competed in the 2005 and 2007 World Championships after samples were retested.

No names have been given, but 32 "adverse findings" among 28 athletes who competed at the 2005 and 2007 world athletics championships have been discovered during retesting of samples. The IAAF announced in April that such retests would begin.

"A large majority of the 28 are retired, some are athletes who have already been sanctioned, and only very few remain active in sport," a statement read.

"The IAAF is provisionally suspending them and can confirm that none of the athletes concerned will be competing in Beijing."

Under-fire after allegations of mass doping in athletics following a report from "The Sunday Times" and German broadcaster ARD, the IAAF also received a video message from German Olympian Robert Harting on August 10.

According to the report, more than one-third of athletes who won endurance events at Olympic Games and world championships between 2001 and 2012 had submitted suspicious tests.

The world's athletic governing body has dismissed allegations ahead of presidential elections on August 19 before the World Championships begin in Beijing three days later.

rd/jh (AFP, dpa)