BEIJING (Reuters) - Three world records have failed to make the official lists this year because organisers neglected to test for erythropoietin (EPO), the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said.

IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss reiterated tests for the banned blood-boosting drug must follow all world record-breaking performances, saying a lack of knowledge about compulsory testing had lead to the rejection of the records.

"This is not a new decision. It has been known for two years, but it would seem that this information is not known because we had to refuse applications for three world records this year already," Weiss told reporters.

A lack of EPO analysis had deprived the U.S. 4x400m relay team of an indoor world record set in February and cancelled twice Olympic 10,000 metres champion Haile Gebrselassie's 25km world mark of 1:11.37 set in the Netherlands in March. A junior men's 10km race walking record set by Russian Sergey Morozov in February had also been withdrawn, Weiss said.

Weiss said that investigations into sprinter Marion Jones, who tested positive for a banned substance at the U.S. track championships in June, were continuing. Jones, who won three gold medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, said on Monday she had requested her 'B' test be expedited. If her 'B' sample is positive, she faces a two-year ban from the sport under anti-doping rules.

Jones, 30, has repeatedly denied taking performance-enhancing substances and had never previously failed a doping test.