Act decisively to defend Kenya’s sporting prowess amid new doping claims

News that former Olympic and three-time world champion Asbel Kiprop has failed a doping test could not have come at a worse time.

The ugly face of doping in sports has once again thrust Kenya into negative international limelight, and dealt a huge blot on our undoubted prowess on the track.

News that former Olympic and three time world champion Asbel Kiprop has failed a doping test could not have come at a worse time.

The 2008 Olympic 1,500m champ has denied any involvement in any wrongdoing, but the Athletics Integrity Unit confirmed yesterday that Kiprop had tested positive for EPO after an out-of-competition test in November 2017.

While Kiprop has already been charged with violation of IAAF Anti-Doping Rules and his case is now proceeding to the IAAF Disciplinary Tribunal, the latest case has once again reopened international scrutiny on Kenya.

Just before the Rio Olympics in 2016, there were fears we could be banned since Kenya was deemed not compliant with World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) code over legislation and doping cases.

However, with the formation of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak), the globe was once again warming up to us. 

Even Wada removed Kenya from the watch list last year, with IAAF still yet to give us a clean bill of health, but there were signs that they would.

The latest bombshell will, however, take us steps back and there is fear we could lose the gains we had and before long, Wada and IAAF will be breathing down our necks and the rest of the world will be tempted to think that our athletes do not win clean.

While we should treat Kiprop’s case as an isolated incident just like those before him, we must redeem our image and demonstrate that our athletes run clean and it is only a few rogue cases spoiling our standing.

However, we can only do that by getting to the bottom of this matter and Kiprop’s case should give us the leeway to crack down on the elements perceived to be propagating this vice.

 Unless we expose all those responsible, then every Kenyan athlete risks being viewed with suspicion. Adak and other relevant enforcement agencies owe it to Kenyans to punish those soiling our reputation.