IOC will also not suspend Kenya from Rio 2016 Games

The International Olympics Committee (IOC) has followed in the footsteps of world athletics body, IAAF in declaring Kenyan athletes will not be stopped from participating in the Rio 2016 Games.

This follows the declaration by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) was non-compliant with its Code that spread fears the nation would be banned from the biggest sporting carnival this summer.

“A NADO can be non-compliant for a number of reasons; there are currently a number of others in this position. It does not mean that the athletes will be stopped from participating in the Olympic Games.

“WADA and the International Federations are taking extra measures to make sure that all athletes are properly tested. It will of course be discussed at the next Executive Board of the IOC,” the IOC said in an email to Citizen Digital.

The decision to spare the country an Olympics ban was received with joy and relief as the country went into overdrive to convince the international community it was committed to fight the doping menace.

“That is the best news I have heard today. First of all, I must appreciate the consideration the IAAF has given to this situation so that at least the athletes who have been preparing and training for the Olympics get a chance to go and compete just like everybody else.

“The Olympics is one of the most important championships that comes once every four years,” the delighted Athletics Kenya (AK) president, Lt. General (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei told Citizen Digital.

The country’s athletics fraternity was thrown into shock when WADA declared Kenya non-compliant with immediate effect, confirming the worst fears that the proud distance running nation could be banned from international competition including the Rio 2016 Olympics.

WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie earlier told Reuters the decision had not slammed the Rio 2016 door on the country as panic spread among athletes and officials.

“We have been working with Kenya for a number of years and thought we had agreed that the draft legislation and rules were entirely compliant and it would appear that during their parliamentary process changes were made that unfortunately weren’t code compliant so we will be in touch with Kenya to try and resolve that at the earliest possible moment,” he added.