New brooms needed to clean doping mess
What you need to know:
- Of course, there exists a small percentage of local athletes who have attempted to - and probably went ahead to - win using unfair and unjustified means, and especially through doping.
- Doping allegations were levelled against the sport in Jamaica and Russia, which led to the officials opting to resign to ensure thorough investigations took place. As they say new brooms sweep clean.
- Kenyan runners will, as expected, lead the onslaught for international and personal honour despite sustained competition from our neighbours the Ethiopians and to a smaller extend, Ugandans.
A new Athletics seasons beckons and Kenyans will head into the calendar year expecting more successful returns from our globe-trotting athletes.
Two major competitions; the World Championships and World Cross Country Championships are both scheduled to be held in China later this year.
These events will offer our athletes another chance to enhance the country’s reputation as the kings and queens of middle and long distance running.
Kenyan runners will, as expected, lead the onslaught for international and personal honour despite sustained competition from our neighbours the Ethiopians and to a smaller extend, Ugandans.
Much has been said about doping among Kenyan athletes and thus our runners will be out to prove that they triumph in their engagements in a clean and fair manner.
Of course, there exists a small percentage of local athletes who have attempted to - and probably went ahead to - win using unfair and unjustified means, and especially through doping.
These rotten apples, alongside their minders need to be weeded out of the system. This should be done through the concerted efforts of Athletics Kenya, the runners, the government and all stake holders.
WORK CLOSELY
AK need to invite and work closely with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on this front.
Its reassuring that the government through its parent ministry will establish the laboratory for testing in Kenya. It’s a good starting point to prove to the world our country is in the forefront in fighting against doping.
Which brings me to my most important point. We at AK should take full responsibility for the numerous doping incidents. It is not enough to reportedly try and put structures in place to stop the menace which all happened under our watch.
Doping allegations were levelled against the sport in Jamaica and Russia, which led to the officials opting to resign to ensure thorough investigations took place. As they say new brooms sweep clean.
In other highlights, preparations ahead of the 2017 World Youth Championships in Kenya are expected to formally begin early.
The Government has been in the forefront of pushing for this project has been awash with promises on how they plan to stage a formidable championship.
Thus our leaders need to follow this up by planning adequately in repairing and upgrading the existing facilities and infrastructure.
