Punish agents and athletes in dope scandals - Tanui

Former Boston Marathon champion Moses Tanui during a past Press briefing. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Kenya has been on the IAAF’s watch list for the last few years.
  • Tanui is of the opinion that Athletics Kenya should come up with a proposal and ask the IAAF to ban agents representing athletes who fail drugs tests.

Former two-time Boston Marathon champion Moses Tanui wants the Government to suspend all the agents and athletes who violate the IAAF Anti-Doping Rule.

Speaking to Nation Sport in Eldoret on Wednesday, Tanui urged the government to act fast before the country faces more sanctions from IAAF and the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada).

Kenya has been on the IAAF’s watch list for the last few years.

“All rogue agents should be suspended immediately and stern action be taken against athletes who fail drug tests,” said Tanui.

Tanui was reacting to the recent revelation by IAAF that Kenya’s three-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop had failed a drugs test. The highly-publicised scandal has left the country in shock.

Kiprop’s failed test comes hot on the heels of the suspension and subsequent ban of marathon stars Jemimah Sumgong and Rita Jeptoo. Kiprop’s case is still under investigation while Sumgong and Jeptoo are currently serving four year bans each.

“We have good athletes who are respected worldwide and it’s up to the government to protect them and the integrity of the sport by punishing the culprits who are tarnishing our good name,” said Tanui.

“The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) has been doing a good job but they have to try harder to reach a bigger number of athletes.”

Tanui is of the opinion that Athletics Kenya should come up with a proposal and ask the IAAF to ban agents representing athletes who fail drugs tests.

He asked upcoming athletes to desist from using performance enhancing drugs and focus on training and running clean.