Kenya intensifies fight against doping to protect athletics legacy

Kenya is making significant strides in combating doping among its athletes, according to Barnaba Korir, the Director of Youth Development at Athletics Kenya (AK).

Korir highlighted the robust support from the government, World Athletics, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in advancing the anti-doping initiative.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration and detailed key components of the program, starting with the Investigations and Intelligence (I&I) unit.

“This collaboration has enabled us to implement strategies through various departments to ensure we tackle this menace effectively. The I&I unit ensures we are informed about suspicious activities while compulsory testing is conducted before any athlete competes. We’ve extended these systems even to local events to maintain integrity at all levels,” Korir explained.

Education, he stressed, is a cornerstone of the program. Athletics Kenya is actively instilling anti-doping awareness in athletes from a young age.

“We have a responsibility to educate athletes, including the U-20 teams, about the dangers of doping. Through a structured program, we aim to incorporate anti-doping education into the school curriculum starting from primary school,” Korir revealed.

He likened the effort to campaigns against hard drugs, underscoring the importance of early intervention to foster a culture of clean sports. Additionally, Korir pointed to advancements in athlete registration and monitoring systems. A comprehensive database now tracks athletes’ performance and progress, aiding in identifying anomalies.

“This system allows us to analyze performance graphs and closely monitor any unusual rapid improvements in an athlete’s performance within a short time,” he said.

Korir expressed confidence that the multifaceted approach; combining intelligence, testing, education, and performance monitoring, is yielding results. “We are very happy with the progress. These measures are not only about compliance but about safeguarding the reputation of Kenya’s athletics and protecting the integrity of our sports,” he concluded.

Kenya has long been a powerhouse in athletics, and these efforts underline the country’s commitment to preserving its legacy by rooting out doping. Through collaboration with global agencies and innovative local initiatives, Kenya is setting an example in the fight against doping, ensuring fair competition and protecting the future of its athletes.