Adak arraigns banned athlete in court

Long distance runner Florence Jepkosgei Chepsoi, who is under suspension for doping has been charged in court for presenting fake medical documents in her defence case.

Chepsoi was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Eldoret on Monday this week charged with the offence of presenting doctored documents to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak).

Chepsoi was in 2017 flagged down for violating anti-doping rules after she tested positive for prohibited prednisolone in a race in China.

Chepsoi appeared before the Sports Disputes Tribunal for the hearing of that matter.

Chepsoi would then present medical documents purportedly from the Uasin Gishu District Hospital alleging that she had received treatment at the said hospital.

Adak chief executive officer, Japhter Rugut disclosed in a statement on Thursday that his investigations and intelligence gathering unit proceeded to conduct verification of those medical documents. "Uasin Gishu District Hospital confirmed that those medical documents had been forged and that the athlete had not been treated or seen at the said hospital," said Rugut adding that Chepsoi was charged pursuant to section 42 (1) paragraph (e) of the Anti-Doping Act.

Chepsoi has since pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. The case will be heard on August 13, 2020.

Chepsoi's case resonates well with the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Marathon champion Jemimah Sumgong, who also allegedly presented fabricated medical report from Kenyatta National Hospital in her doping case defence and lied about her whereabouts.

Sumgong, who had been handed a four-years ban, had that period extended by four more years after she was found guilty of presenting fake medical report. Her suspension runs from 2017.

Rugut said Adak will continue prosecuting athletes and their support personnel found culpable of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) in line with the laid down legal framework.

"We wish to reiterate that we will not relent in the fight against doping," said Rugut adding that this is a resolve which has received support from the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage Amina Mohammed.

Rugut explained that measures have been taken for a zero tolerance of the vice and that athletes are encouraged to participate in clean sports thus promoting integrity. "Any athlete found to have violated the provisions of the Anti-Doping Act will be dealt with firmly. Adak promises to root out this immoral culture through the criminal justice system," said Rugut.

Last week, Amina said Anti-Doping laws are being revised to make doping a criminal offence. She said the new document will be ready in two months time for presentation and debate in parliament.