Russia’s ban for doping upheld months before World Championships in Doha

Russian athletes may miss this year’s World Championships in Doha after the International Association of Athletics Federations voted to leave its doping suspension in place.

The IAAF took the decision at a council meeting in Monaco – the 11th time it has voted to maintain the ban.

Athletes have not been able to compete for Russia since November 2015 after state-sponsored doping was uncovered.

The World Championships will take place from 28 September to 6 October.

Under the terms of the IAAF ban, Russian athletes cannot compete under their own flag.

However, athletes who have met the IAAF doping review board’s drug-testing criteria can compete under a neutral flag.

So far, Russia has endorsed 286 applications for ‘neutral athlete’ status to date – of which 66 have been granted and 22 rejected by the IAAF.

The next vote is likely to be taken at an IAAF Council meeting on 23 September – just five days before the World Championships.