It was a day reserved to redeem athletes’ hopes after the exposé by German television ARD and The Sunday Times.
But the occasion turned into a vicious blame game as Cherangany MP and Team Kenya captain Wesley Korir took Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario to task over the manner in which they (athletes) had been handled.
Drama started when Korir, 2012 Boston Marathon winner, was invited to give a vote of thanks at the IOC-funded High Performance Training Centre (HPTC), where the athletics team to the Rio Olympic Games is training.
He lashed out at the Government and National Olympic Committee of Kenya officials as the other athletes, who sat in a tent, applauded him.
“It’s sad that you welcome me, as the team captain, to talk after the bosses have made their address. In fact, I have contemplated resigning from this position as team captain. You waziri (pointing at Dr Wario), promised to arrive here at 8am and it’s now well past noon. We neither went for training nor took breakfast,” he fumed.
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“I had prepared a small memorandum from the athletes here, who are not happy with certain arrangements for the Olympics team. But I tore it in protest while seated there after I realised you people still believe in the old school of thought.
“I used to hear about these complaints in past competitions, but I am now experiencing it first-hand. I won’t take it lying down because I am the team captain.
“I have confirmed one theory here: Those who don’t understand the sport are the ones calling the shots while those who understand it are slaves in the industry. We should reverse this,” Korir said.
Korir said the Government should clear cash rewards pending from 2011.
The lawmaker lashed out at Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak).
“This morning, these guys came for tests. They acted so unprofessionally, harassing athletes here. In fact, they just treated me with some respect after they realised I am an MP.
“Imagine, the doctor takes you to a toilet to collect urine and stands several metres away from you as you pee, which is not in line with IAAF regulations. Supposing you give them someone’s urine or vice versa?” posed Korir.
He sat down without highlighting the challenges, which those present including the Cabinet Secretary expected.
Two-time Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi, the assistant captain, sat pensively with the other athletes.
Baba Yao, as Kemboi is known among the athletes, followed the CS as he was leaving the grounds, and pulled him back to address the athletes.
Kemboi said: “Waziri, we feel some things have to be changed. First, we want the awards for physiotherapists and team doctors raised from Sh10,000 to at least Sh100,000. Treat them well please.”
