Marathon king Eliud Kipchoge has had enough. He is asking for help after a number of his countrymen have been charged with doping in recent times. The 38-year-old believes that the Kenyan Athletics Federation and the anti-doping authorities in the country have failed in their work. – The federation should tell athletes who do not want integrity in sport to stop. Let’s respect the sport, says the world record holder in the marathon, according to Standard. CHIEF: Brett Clothier heads Athletics’ integrity unit. Photo: TONY KARUMBA / AFP The statements came during a meeting with the head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), Brett Clothier, who was visiting Kenya. The AIU recently came out and warned that systematic cheating is taking place in Kenyan athletics. – A serious threat to sport AIU has discovered a “criminal pattern” where people with medical knowledge try to cover up violations of the doping rules. The whole thing is described as a “plague” spreading in the African country. – Doping in Kenya is becoming more and more well-organised, which is confirmed by the fact that people with medical experience are involved. It is a serious threat to sport, says David Howman from AIU. news has contacted the Kenyan Athletics Association for a comment on the statements from Kipchoge and Howman, but has so far not received a reply. Suspended and banned Kenyans 2022–23 These Kenyan athletes were suspended or banned for breaking the doping rules in 2022 and 2023. There are a total of 28 athletes. Suspended: Norah Jeruto Esther Macharia James Mwangi Wangari Ibrahim Mukunga Wachira Michael Kunyuga Purity Changwony Lawrence Cherono Banned: Eglay Nafuna Nalyanya Betty Wilson Lempus Diana Chemtai Kipyokei Purity Cherotich Rionoripo Alice Jepkemboi Kimutai Mark Otieno Odhiambo Keneth Kiprop Renju Marius Kipserem Mark Kangogo Philemon Kacheran Lokeidi Felix Kipchumba Kori Emmanuel Saina Lilian Kasait Rengeruk Vane Nyaboke Nyanamba Joel Maina Mwangi Tabitha Gichia Wambui Mathew Kipkoech Kisorio Justus Kimutai Morris Munene Gachaga Edward Kibet Kiprop Paul Kipchumba Lonyangata If you include previous years, the number of banned/suspended Kenyans rises to over 50. Source: AIU. According to Kipchoge, seminars on anti-doping in Kenya are used to warn the athletes, not teach them about right and wrong. For many Kenyans, sporting success and the prize money it entails can be the way to a more prosperous life. Kipchoge believes that money and greed, and also pressure from coaches and family, are the root of the evil – doping. MARATHON KING: Eliud Kipchoge. Photo: TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP – Let’s get coaches who have passion for the sport, not just those who talk about money at training camp. – Others say that I have been jumping for 20 years and ask how it happens naturally. At the next seminar, the athletes learn to appreciate the sport. Because now they learn nothing. They only come because they fear the union, believes Kipchoge. Eliud Kipchoge Born: 5 November 1984 Has won four of the six major marathons, in Berlin, London, Tokyo and Chicago. Holds the world marathon record with a time of 2.01.09. Kipchoge has also become Olympic champion twice in the distance. Became the first man under two hours at a marathon in a specially designed race with several aids, including the Ingebrigtsen brothers as pacers. The record is therefore not valid. Formerly one of the world’s best track and field athletes. Has WC gold and silver at 5000 metres, as well as Olympic silver and bronze at the same distance. Tracks even more doping experts Together with several other athletes, he wants the AIU to help the country step up the war against doping. The plan is to increase the practitioners’ knowledge, get more testing and more investigations. AIU chief Clothier predicts that the doping slide in Kenyan sport will continue in the coming months, as these measures are introduced. – There will be more sanctions, and they must be prepared for more positive tests. The road is long, but it is a good road for sport to take so that pure athletes are protected, he said from the podium in Kenya. CHIEF: Anders Solheim heads Antidoping Norway. Photo: Antidoping Norway – I think it is important that Kenya, together with international athletics, joins and strengthens the anti-doping work. My impression is that AIU and ADAK are strengthening their work and tightening their grip even more now, says the daily head of Antidoping Norway, Anders Solheim, to news. Worst in Kenya? Antidoping Norway has collaborated with Kenya for over a decade, and helped the country set up its own anti-doping organisation, ADAK, in 2016. – They needed their own body, something history has confirmed through the fact that there have been many cases in Kenya, says Solheim. Photo: FRANCK FIFE / AFP He believes that the many positive tests that have come out of the country are proof that the anti-doping work is working better and better. – Is the problem much bigger in Kenya than elsewhere? We don’t know that. But what we do know is that the Kenyans who dope get caught and that is a good thing, says Solheim. Kenya is one of seven countries where the AIU believes there is the highest prevalence of doping, and as a result contributes to damaging the reputation of sport. The other nations are Ethiopia, Morocco, Nigeria, Bahrain, Belarus and Ukraine.
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Star runner Eliud Kipchoge settles with Kenya after doping scandal – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
