Russia's suspension from the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) will remain in place after a failure to meet criteria required by the body's Task Force.
A rule change has been passed potentially allowing athletes "not tainted by the system" to compete as independent athletes, but it has been emphasized that only those based outside Russia in recent years would be eligible.
Only a "handful" would be expected to participate.
Passing doping tests is no guarantee of being clean, Task Force chair Rune Andersen said, due to the deep-rooted problems within the Russian system which have still not been addressed.
In a damning report today, delivered to the IAAF ruling Council, it was found that "several important verification criteria have not yet been fully satisfied".
"The deep-seated culture of tolerance (or worse) for doping that got the All-Russia Athletic Federation [ARAF, but referred to as RusAF in the report] suspended in the first place appears not to have changed materially to date.
"The head coach of the Russian athletics team and many of the athletes on the team appear unwilling to acknowledge the nature and extent of the doping problem in Russian athletes; and certain athletes and coaches appear willing to ignore the doping rules.
"...Efforts to test athletes in Russia have continued to encounter serious obstacles and difficulties."
The report, which also took advice from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), predicted that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) remains 18 to 24 months away from being deemed compliant.
In the meantime, no Russian athletes or officials will be able to participate in the sport, with the country's Council member Mikhail Butov also required to stand-down.
This all comes after the ARAF was suspended by the IAAF in November following the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) report of systemic and state-sponsored doping within the athletics team.
Forty-four specific criteria were then drawn up by the Task Force.
All but two members of the 27-strong Council were present for today's meeting, with 24 participating in the discussions on Russia due to Butov's absence to avoid a conflict of interest.
No vote was made due to a unanimous decision that the suspension should remain in place.
Concerns were raised by serveral members, insidethegames understands, including Ukrainian vice-president Sergey Bubka, but all ultimately voted in favour.
“I think our decision sends a very very powerful message," said IAAF President Sebastian Coe.
"There was an unanimous decision that Russian athletes could not return 'without undermining the confidence of competitors and public."
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