Russia still non-compliant: WADA

The World Anti-Doping Agency says Russia remains non-compliant, dealing a blow to its hopes of being cleared for February's Winter Olympic Games.

WADA's foundation board, meeting in Seoul, had approved the recommendation of the independent compliance review committee, it said on Thursday on its Twitter feed.

Kuwait, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritius had also been found non-compliant, it added.

Russia's anti-doping agency (RUSADA) has been suspended since a WADA report in 2015 found evidence of state-sponsored doping and accused it of systematically violating anti-doping regulations.

Russian authorities deny there was a state-backed doping program but have pledged to follow international recommendations to get the suspension lifted.

Countries and sports federations must be compliant with the WADA Code to be eligible for the Olympics with the International Olympic Committee making the ultimate decision on participation.

The IOC has said it will decide on Russia's participation at the Pyeongchang Winter Games in South Korea during its executive board meeting being held from December 5-7.