NOCK chair expresses optimism in war on doping

National Olympics Committee- Kenya (Nock) chairman, Dr. Kipchoge Keino, believes working alongside the Government and the World Anti-Doping Agency in curbing doping will lead to major success in the upcoming Rio 2016 Summer Games that  run from August 5 to August 21.

Keino said the decision increase testing before the event was the best way to contain proscribed substance abuse.

“WADA has representatives in Eldoret to test all athletes who will compete in the Olympics, an exercise that will conclude once all athletes have left for Rio to reduce the menace of doping in Kenya,” said the Nock chairman.

“We have been working alongside the Government to make sure the team sent to Rio will be clean, and one which ensures that the country succeeds,” said Keino.

The track legend believes doping allegations against Kenyan runners could affect morale, but hard work, determination and self-will, will be the key thing for the athletes in Rio.

“Doping will never guarantee success but hard work will, athletes must be ready to lace up their boots, pull up their socks and run for their country in a clean legal condition,” the Olympics 1500m and 3000m steeplechase champion at the 1968 and 1972 Games added.

Keino, stated the departure dates for the remaining athletes to the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil remain the same, with the Men’s marathon team being the last to leave on the August 14.

“The last batch will have the marathoners squad which will leave last to have ample time for special preparations before the tournaments kicks off,” said Keino.

The Kenyan squad is almost twice as big as that sent to Beijing in 2008 and the veteran athlete believes an increased medal tally will be realised compared to the ones Kenya won four years ago where four Kenyan men won six gold medals, while the other two were awarded to the women.

“The number of athletes in various games have been increased in this year’s tournament, this will ensure Kenya’s tally of medals will increase,” emphasized the NOCK chairman.

Kenya will be looking forward to better their overall performance in Beijing where despite being the most successful country from Africa finished 15th overall.

In the launch, MultiChoice Kenya boosted the Olympic kitty with Ksh1m to through their DStv and GOtv pay televisions.

“Through SuperSport, MultiChoice has made significant investments in local sport which are unmatched by any other operator in Africa and today we are happy to support the NOCK with a small token in addition to the content we are delivering to East Africans,” said SuperSport East Africa General Manager, Auka Gecheo, said.

Four channels , SS4, SS5, SS6, SS7 plus three additional channels, SS12, SS13 and SS14, will be dedicated to the Rio Games, while other channels like SS1 and SS3 will, where available, carry overflow content, chiefly Sevens rugby, golf and soccer.

SS12 will be a dedicated 24-hour Olympic news channel which will be produced by the International Olympic Committee.