Athletes must stick to anti-doping regulations

Sports across the world is at a crossroads. And our athletes, who have made our nation stand out as a world athletics superpower, should not use it as an excuse to miss out-of-competition tests.

It is worth noting that after in-depth analysis of tests on road racers, Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) found that 76 per cent of podium finishers do not undergo out-of-competition testing.

About 60 per cent of them are Kenyans, and this necessitated the partnership between Anti-doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) and Athletics Kenya (AK).

Just two weeks ago, Adak asked athletes to stick to anti-doping regulations even as they protect themselves from coronavirus, but admitted that they are doing fewer tests at the moment.

Because of this and due to the increase in doping cases among Kenyan athletes, some would be tempted to use prohibited substances as they prepare for the post-Covid-19 season.

But they must understand that it is a must to abide by the World Anti-Doping Agency code if they are to avoid sanctions. Athletes get tested even when they are in self-isolation. Doping control samples continue to be stored for future analysis and with the Athlete Biological Passport now in use, samples collected post-coronavirus can reveal doping violations during the period.

The national anti-doping watchdog insists that testing may still occur anytime and anywhere. So, our athletes must adhere to anti-doping regulations during this Covid-19 crisis period. We should stick to anti-doping rules to retain our position as the Mecca of world long distance running.