Ethiopia and Morocco are the latest countries facing the threat of sanctions from the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) over fears they have major problems with doping.
Ethiopia and Morocco are ranked among the top countries in the world when it comes to distance running but there are suspicions that some of their success is due to using banned performance-enhancing drugs.
The IAAF has already suspended Russia following the publication of the world anti-doping agency independent commission report which claimed there was evidence of state-supported doping, putting in jeopardy their participation at this year’s Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.
Five countries are in critical care concerning their national anti-doping programmes.
The IAAF is implementing an action plan to monitor compliance to its Rule 30.6 with respect to the federations of Ethiopia, Morocco, Belarus, Kenya and Ukraine.
Morocco and Ethiopia both need to appoint an anti-doping coordinator and, as a matter of urgency, establish a national testing programme.
Belarus, Kenya and Ukraine have been put on an IAAF monitoring list for 2016 to ensure their national anti-doping programmes are significantly strengthened to ensure their journey to compliance to Rule 30.6 is completed by the end of the year.
