The annual Championships are set to be the first major event that Russian athletes will not feature at following the suspension of the All-Russia Athletic Federation (ARAF) by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) last month.

Members of the IAAF Council voted 22-1 to ban Russia after allegations of widespread state-supported doping were revealed in an explosive report by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Independent Commission.

European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen, who was elected to the post in April, informed competing teams of the initiative during the Championships' technical meeting at the French venue today.

“We want our participating athletes to reassure those watching at the course and at home that they are competing without resorting to doping,” the Norwegian said.

“We also want our athletes to encourage aspiring athletes to adopt a clean approach to sports through wearing these bibs and by positing their commitment to a doping-free career through our #irunclean social media campaign.

“Our anti-doping education programme was one of the central elements of last summer’s under-23 championships in Tallinn and junior championships in Eskilstuna, and this initiative is an extension of this.”

Athletes will be offered the choice between the “I Run Clean” bib, with the message placed under the names of each runner, and a neutral bib.

While Hansen hopes the bibs will help to start restoring credibility on the course, athletes and fans are also being encouraged to promote the anti-doping message through the hashtag #irunclean on social media.

European Athletics have started the initiative after International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach called upon sports organisations to renew trust in sport.

His statement followed a series of corruption and doping scandals which have engulfed sport in recent months, with athletics rocked by Russia’s suspension, which leaves them set to miss March’s World Indoor Championships in Portland, United States.

They could also miss the Rio 2016 Olympics if their ban is not lifted in time.

Meanwhile, world football’s governing body FIFA has been damaged by the indictments of 41 officials and entities by the United States Department of Justice on corruption charges so far this year.

Related stories
December 2015: Duncan Mackay: Setting up an independent anti-doping agency is Bach's biggest challenge but could be his greatest legacy
December 2015: Conditions for lifting of Russia's ban leave "no room for doubt" says IAAF President Coe
December 2015:Bach vows to renew trust in sport in wake of "upsetting" sporting scandals
November 2015: Russian Sports Minister "committed fully" to recommendations on doping, WADA claims
November 2015: Russia will not appeal against IAAF suspension after doping allegations