On Thursday,The Kenya Enhanced Anti-Doping Project Joint Working Group said the country was keen to send a clean team to the Paris Olympics Games, which is set to commence from July 26 and end on August 11.
Kenya is a ‘Category A’ country due to her unenviable record for doping cases–athletes will must undergo at least three anti-doping tests by July 4 to the lead up to the Summer Games, with the deadline for the first of these tests having elapsed on May 3.
The team, consisting of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), the Athletics Integrity Unit(AIU), Athletics Kenya (AK) and the Sports Ministry is currently holed up in Naivasha to review the progress made by the country on the Multi -Agency Collaboration Program that was set up by the government following doping threats on the country by the World Athletics.
The areas being reviewed by the team at the two-day workshop that ends Friday include education, testing, sports regulations, corporate communication, medical, finance, intelligence, investigation and legal.
“From the support and findings made from this report, we want to confidently say we will not only send the best athletes to Paris, but the cleanest ones,” Kenya Enhanced Anti-Doping Project Joint Working Group Steering Committee Chairman Wesley Korir underlined.
“We are now testing the athletes as many times as possible, and through the intelligence network, we will ensure those tested are not doing anything malicious behind closed doors,” Korir stated.
Among the tested ones only 67 athletes have qualified for the Paris Olympics and AK is hopeful that many more will make it to the Summer Games, especially on the fringe sports.
“Qualification for Olympics ends on June 30 and we are encouraging those who have not yet punched tickets to the championships to continue working hard,” stated AK Chairman Jackson Tuwei who is representing his federation at the ongoing review.
ADAK’s Director Compliance and Testing, Peninah Wahome noted that the anti-doping body has so far reached over 1500 athletes in the race for the Paris Olympics Qualifiers.
Peninah Wahome stated that he athletes have met the anti-doping requirements but still need two more tests before they board their plane to the European city of love.
“We are glad that we have reached a bigger number than the previous Olympics in terms of anti-doping requirements.
“This is an assurance to the country that those participants going for the Olympics and its qualifiers are well taken care of in terms of testing,” Wahome highlighted.
The ongoing review in Naivasha has been praised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the AIU who stated that it’s a real step in the right direction for Kenya.
“As WADA, we have great interest in Kenya as the country is a pace setter for the African continent at the Olympics, moreso where athletics is concerned.
“We are here to observe the progress of the Multi -Agency Collaboration team, we want to see sustainability on the project, we are grateful to the Kenyan Government that has ensured the program is well supported,” WADA Africa Director, Rodney Swigelaar, said.
The AIU Chief Executive Officer Brett Clothier said they are glad to be part of the Multi -Agency Collaboration Program team that is reviewing the progress.
He thanked the Kenyan Government for pumping in USD 5 million into the five-year program meant to enhance the anti-doping framework in Kenya.
“From my findings, I can say Kenya is on the right path in this anti-doping war.
“As AIU, we are very pleased with the ongoing project and the progress made, even though there are still lots of kilometers to be covered on the race,” Clothier underscored.
