Recommendation by anti-doping officials could bar Kenya from 2016 Rio Olympics

A World Anti-Doping Agency committee has recommended that Kenya be declared non-compliant, a move that could result in the African nation missing the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

With WADA holding meetings in Montreal on Thursday, its compliance review committee found that Kenya does not meet the standards of the World Anti-Doping Code.

Dozens of Kenyans have tested positive for banned substances in recent years. The country -- a track-and-field powerhouse -- had already been put on notice for failing to adequately test its athletes.

WADA gave the country until early May to make changes, and the national government had passed legislation that made doping a criminal offense.

But the WADA committee expressed its dissatisfaction with the move. Though a non-compliant ruling would not automatically bar Kenya from the Games, it could lead to further, more serious action.