IAAF upholds ban on Russian athletes ahead of Rio 2016 Olympics

The IAAF has upheld a ban on Russian athletes, meaning that the nation's track and field stars are likely to miss the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

The International Association of Athletics Federations voted unanimously to keep the ban, which was provisionally implemented in November following allegations of a state-sponsored doping programme.

A 325-page report from the World Anti-Doping Agency implicated Russia in a widespread doping scandal, and on Friday, the IAAF council decided not to lift the ban due to Russia's failure to meet the criteria for readmission, according to The Guardian.

It has been reported that representatives of the International Olympic Committee, sports federations, as well as the national Olympic and anti-doping bodies will meet in Lausanne next Tuesday to discuss the possibility of giving individual athletes "individual justice".

Russian president Vladimir Putin has denied allegations of a state-sponsored doping programme.