Sebastian Coe expresses satisfaction with Kenya’s progress against doping, noting improvements in anti-doping personnel and education. Kenya has invested $25 million over five years to combat the issue, following criticism from the World Anti-Doping Agency. While progress is evident, challenges persist as sanctions against athletes continue to rise.
The World Athletics President, Sebastian Coe, expressed satisfaction with Kenya’s advancements in combating doping, indicating that the nation is on a positive path toward resolving this pressing issue. This remark came after his meeting with Kenyan officials in Nairobi, contrasting with the more cautious tone he had adopted during his previous visit in January 2023, where he highlighted the challenges that lay ahead.
Kenya has made significant strides to rehabilitate its global reputation following a series of doping scandals that surfaced around the 2016 Rio Olympics, which resulted in it being declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency. In an effort to address these concerns, Kenya announced a substantial investment of $25 million over a span of five years in April 2023 to enhance its anti-doping efforts.
Despite the progress, Coe acknowledged that the country was starting from a challenging position. He noted improvements in the infrastructure for anti-doping, including an increase in personnel dedicated to testing, investigations, and educational programs. He stated, “We are moving in the right direction,” referring to the better systems that have been established.
Since 2017, nearly 130 Kenyan athletes, particularly in long-distance running, have faced sanctions related to doping violations. Notably, Kenya issued its first lifetime ban to marathon runner Beatrice Toroitich, along with a six-year exclusion for 10km record-holder Rhonex Kipruto in June 2023. Coe cautioned that the number of sanctioned athletes might rise, attributing this trend to the effectiveness of the enhanced testing protocols.
Additionally, Coe is preparing to run for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee in Greece later this month, signaling his continued involvement in athletics governance on a global scale.
In summary, World Athletics Chief Sebastian Coe has commended Kenya’s efforts in combating doping, highlighting significant improvements in anti-doping personnel and education. While positive progress is evident, challenges remain, as demonstrated by the continuing sanctions against athletes. Kenya’s commitment, demonstrated through substantial financial investment, underscores its resolve to regain integrity in the sport.
Original Source: www.france24.com
