Jitters over athletics doping report
Athletics Kenya President Isaiah Kiplagat (right) addresses a press conference flanked by Vice President David Okeyo at the Association Boardroom on October 14, 2014, at Riadha House. The IAAF Ethics Commission suspend the two for their alleged involvement in graft and subversion of the anti-doping control in Kenya on November 30 last year. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Kenya is anxious once again as the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) independent commission prepares to publish the second part of its report on claims of widespread doping in athletics next week.
- In the report, criminal charges are not being ruled out and focus will be on further allegations against Kenya.
- Kenya had been accused of being sluggish in implementing doping structures.
- Sharad Rao a former deputy director of prosecutions was appointed by IAAF to investigate the officials. He has given them until January 12 to respond.
Kenya is anxious once again as the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada) independent commission prepares to publish the second part of its report on claims of widespread doping in athletics next week.
In the report, criminal charges are not being ruled out and focus will be on further allegations against Kenya.
“Wada chairman Richard Pound will present the findings on January 14, and a media conference will follow in Munich,” Wada said in a statement.
Even though the first part released last November did not touch on Kenya, it sent shockwaves with accusations of state-sponsored doping in Russia and allegations of corruption at the highest levels of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The association suspended Russia from all athletics activities over doping conspiracy.
Kenya had been accused of being sluggish in implementing doping structures.
ANTI-DOPING AGENCY OF KENYA
The Cabinet finally approved the establishment of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) on November 12, last year.
IAAF Ethics Commission suspend three Athletics Kenya officials, outgoing president Isaiah Kiplagat, vice-president David Okeyo and former treasurer Joseph Kinyua for their alleged involvement in graft and subversion of the anti-doping control in Kenya on November 30 last year.
Sharad Rao a former deputy director of prosecutions was appointed by IAAF to investigate the officials. He has given them until January 12 to respond.
Police have questioned a whistle-blower who claimed some AK officials were taking race winnings from competitors in return for covering up their doping.
Paul Simbolei, an athletics coach at Kipsero Training Club, in Iten said he was contacted by police following claims he made in a documentary by the German broadcaster ARD/WDR.
Dozens of Kenyan athletes have been suspended or banned since 2012 over drug use.
