adminNAIROBI. — Ignorance is the biggest contributor to rising doping cases in Kenya as the distance running global powerhouse battles to clear the sport of the vice that threatens to erode its established tradition, according to leading local figures in the sport.
A seminar organised by Athletics Kenya (AK) in the northern town and talent heartland of Eldoret on Monday saw federation bosses and elite athletes concur on the reason behind the spike in doping that has seen 49 runners suspended for substance abuse in the last five years.
This has led Kenya to remain in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) watch list for the second year in a row with AK rolling out an initiative with world governing body IAAF that is aimed at stamping out the menace. During the gathering where 108 elite athletes were in attendance, participants agreed lack of knowledge on rules and regulation governing substance abuse as well as the WADA anti-doping process had seen a majority of sanctioned runners fall victim to doping violations.
Under the IAAF backed programme a team of six medics from Kenya Doctors Network (KDN) will vet the country’s athletes before they are allowed to compete abroad to clear them of doping. — Xinhua.
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