CLOTHIER: LET’S CLEAN UP KENYAN ATHLETICS – Athletics Integrity Unit

28 MARCH 2023, MONACO: The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is keen to end the doping crisis in Kenya that has seen the number of doping cases rise sharply in recent years.

Currently in Kenya for discussions with government, anti-doping and athletics officials, AIU Head Brett Clothier said the AIU is pleased the Kenyan Government is leading the fight against doping in athletics in the East African nation.

Speaking in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, where he paid a courtesy call on Governor Jonathan Bii today, Clothier said the AIU is working hard together with the Athletics Kenya (AK) and the Ministry of Sports to keep Kenyan athletes and athletics clean.

“We’re working very hard to solve the doping menace in Kenya. The national government through the Ministry of Sport has pledged US$5 million per year in additional funding to tackle this menace and we at the Athletics Integrity Unit are working very closely with Athletics Kenya, with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, with the Government at all levels – national and regional – to develop the strategy for how to spend this money the best way possible; the strategy to restore the reputation of athletics in Kenya and to help beat this doping menace.

“My team is very excited. We have great partners in Kenya. The great thing is that no one is in denial about this challenge or the size of the problem. Everyone is confronting it and working in collaboration to come up with the right solutions,” said Clothier (picture above), explaining the extra funding will boost the level of drug-testing and education outreach within Kenya’s athletics community.

Athletics Kenya President Lt Gen. Jackson Tuwei said the doping problem must be removed as it has given Kenya a bad name and urged the country to get back into good international standing.

 Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii (seated far right) speaks to AIU Head Brett Clothier (seated fourth left); Athletics Kenya President, Lt Gen. Jackson Tuwei (seated third left); Head of Anti-Doping at Athletics Kenya, Charlotte Kurgoy (seated second left); and Uasin Gishu County Elder, David Belio (seated far left). Also pictured are other officials and staff. – Photo: AIU

“We are all fighting Anti-Doping Rule Violations because we need clean sport and that extends to even the athlete support personnel. World Athletics gave us another chance to put our house in order and we are glad that all the stakeholders are helping us eradicate this and have a clean sport,” said Tuwei.

Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii urged athletes not to shorten their careers by using banned substances.

“Talent is good and it can take you far but using the banned substance will always end one’s career and there is need for fair competition,” he said.

The Governor also called for the certification of coaches to ensure they are authentic and have proper training because some of them have ill intentions that could be detrimental to athletes.

“Some (coaches) have introduced our athletes to drugs so what we require is the accreditation of these coaches so we can find good-quality coaches who are serious about developing the talent of our young people,” he elaborated.

Clothier was accompanied by Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director, Barnaba Korir; Central Rift chairman, Abraham Mutai, and other officials. The AIU Head will meet with athletes and coaches in Kapsabet, Nandi County, and Iten in Elgeyo Marakwet tomorrow. On Friday, he will report to Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Ababu Namwamba, in Nairobi on the progress made under the new Steering Committee which is spearheading the fight against doping in Kenyan athletics.

About the Athletics Integrity Unit

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is the independent body created by World Athletics that manages all integrity issues – both doping and non-doping – for the sport of athletics. The remit of the AIU includes anti-doping, the pursuit of individuals engaged in age or competition results manipulation, investigating fraudulent behaviour with regards to transfers of allegiance, and detecting other misconduct including bribery and breaches of betting rules. It is the AIU’s role to drive cheats out of our sport, and to do everything within its power to support honest athletes around the world who dedicate their lives to reaching their sporting goals through dedication and hard work.

Source: Athletics Integrity Unit