Be more zealous in doping war, Tanui tells AK, government

Veteran marathoner Moses Tanui now wants Athletics Kenya (AK) to collaborate with the government to tame foreign scoundrel athletes’ agents and coaches, blaming them for the increasing cases of doping lately.

The two-time Boston Marathon winner pointed out athletics industry in the country is bigger than it has been viewed, stressing more deliberate efforts need to be enforced to save the threatened reputation.

Kenyan athletes have been increasingly failing doping tests, with more than 40 falling victims over the past five years.

Rio 2016 Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong, who made history by becoming Kenya’s first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the marathon, was handed a four-year ban in 2017 after testing positive for the blood-booster (EPO). Sumgong had also tested positive for prednisone in 2012.

Kenya’s multi-marathon champion Rita Jeptoo, who had been Sumgong’s training partner, was also banned for four years after she also tested positive for EPO in 2014.

“We want the Government   to stand with athletes; this is an external battle and should not be handled casually. I’m appalled by the number of foreign agents and coaches who have penetrated our country. They have  flooded   and  have   come to  our  bedrooms, they  no longer  wait  for  them outside their  mother land. The naive young athletes won’t escape the trap of doping if they fall in the hands of money oriented ones, who will do anything to have make money without considering the future,” said Tanui.

The 1991 Tokyo 10,000m World Champion challenged local coaches to concentrate in building capacities to compete easily with the foreign ones as competition for finest athletes continues to get tough.

“We have good coaches in the country but the western ones have taken over because

there are no stringent measures and  policies guiding the operations here. If the value of athletics in the country is appreciated this trend will be different,” charged Tanui.

Three-time World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, represented by Italian Federico Rosa, is among top local athletes who have failed doping under the umbrella of non-Kenyan agency.

Devote energy

The 2002 Vienna Marathon winner meanwhile cautioned athletes to be vigilant in guarding their reputation, noting the impact of doping is worst felt by the culprit no irrespective of the architect.

“During our time we would devote energy in training, sometimes training three times a day. Focus was winning, without anything to aid us other than hard work and discipline. Longevity has its place in a successful athlete’s life, shortcuts will always bear short lived glory,” advised the 53-year old.

A total of 53 Kenyan athletes were among 363 others spread across the globe in a “doping list” by the world athletics governing body the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) in May 2018.

By Joseph Kiptoo