IAAF investigating Russian agent who doped Kenyans

A Russian agent is under investigation by world governing body, IAAF for helping Kenyan athletes cheat their way to victory in small races in United States of America and Mexico, most that escape the scrutiny of Anti-Doping enforcement.

In an exclusive story published by Associated Press (AP) on Thursday, Larisa Mikhaylova, whose licence has already been revoked by Athletics Kenya (AK) is on the spot for entering Kenyan runners into road races that offer modest cash rewards to top finishers in a bid to circumvent drug testing.

“An investigation by U.S. anti-doping officials and track’s world governing body into distance runners from Kenya has now zeroed in on the Russian agent, whose racers have had a remarkable success rate but also a string of positive drug tests, nearly all at races in Mexico.

“Mikhaylova insists she is blameless, but some U.S. races are refusing to work with her group of athletes,” the AP report wrote.

The story focuses on Kisii-based runner, Lilian Mariita who was slapped with an eight-year ban, the longest for a Kenyan athlete in history after failing two drug tests inside a year.

Also involved in the scandal is her husband, Jynocel Basweti who was also banned for steroid use and Nixon Kiplagat Cherutich, who was found using a byproduct of the steroid nandrolone with the busts following races in Mexico.

The full story is here