Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco on IAAF's doping watch list

Three African countries have been listed as being in ‘critical care’ over their doping programmes, by the world athletics governing body, International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Ethiopia, Kenya and Morocco risk international bans in the long term if they do not improve their anti-doping programmes.

IAAF president Sebastian Coe, who is working to curb corruption and doping, made this remarks at a press conference on Friday.

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“What we have been very clear though is that we have to be proactive, that the anti doping department in the IAAF has looked at some of the key challenges in some of the key federations and we have done this within our existing rules and we are now closely monitoring and laying down a time frame for change,” Coe said.

Kenya and Ethiopia are well known for producing some of the world’s best athletes. Nevertheless, recent reports have circulated that some Ethiopian athletes have failed doping tests while Kenya is still reeling from its corruption allegations at Athletics Kenya.

Belarus and Ukraine have also been placed this year’s monitoring list by the athletics governing body.

“What we are looking for is proper structured domestic arrangements around anti-doping both in and out of competition. It’s not a sanction, it is a strong set of recommendations that have been agreed,” he added.

Meanwhile, the IAAF said that Russia who were banned last year, has not done enough in eradicating doping. Coe says that Russian authorities need to undertake further significant work to satisfy the reinstatement conditions.