Locals’ doping cases not serious, says AK

by Mutwiri Mutuota

Despite road racer Raymond Tanui being the third runner in 18 months to be suspended from competition, doping violation among Kenyan athletes has not attained crisis levels.

Speaking to FeverPitch on Wednesday, two days after IAAF banned Tanui for two years after testing positive for blood booster, EPO, Athletics Kenya (AK) chairman, Isaiah Kiplagat, stated there was no need to conduct a probe into a possible rise in drug cheat numbers.

Isaiah Kiplagat: AK Chairman

Instead, Kiplagat, who ordered an inquiry led by legendary twice Olympic champion, Kipchoge Keino, in 2003 following a number of drug busts involving Kenyan runners, termed the latest cases as "victims of ignorance and misadvice."

In February last year, IAAF slapped a reduced one-year ban to former thrice World Half Marathon champion, Susan Chepkemei, before Olympic-bound sprinter, Elizabeth Muthuka, received a two-year sanction five months later. Tanui’s punishment dates from July.

Drug abuse

"The cases of Chepkemei and Muthuka were not obvious issues of drug abuse. It’s only they were not properly advised on what to use. But this one (Tanui) was caught in the UK since nowadays almost all international races have doping control.

"IAAF is trying to establish the circumstance since this one is a very serious case of cheating because it was intentional and we cannot allow it," Kiplagat told FeverPitch.

"The other cases are small and there is no need of launching an inquiry. We are talking to athletes at every meeting cautioning them about drug use. Once caught will be the only one responsible. We shall hold to account the coaches, managers and any other person involved with such runners," he added.

He called on athletes to seek advice before taking anything offered by doctors, coaches and managers to avoid cases of doping violation through ignorance.

Lending his voice, national marathon coach, David Letting, said runners needed counselling on dangers of drug use, long term effects and how to avoid doping violation incidents.

 

 

Read all about: AK Doping Raymond Tanui Drug Abuse Drug bust

 

 

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