Kenyans need no dope to win, President Uhuru says

President Uhuru Kenyatta had a simple message as he handed Team Kenya the national flag as they prepare to depart for Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics in Brazil. There is no need to dope.

At a colourful ceremony at State House Nairobi on Friday, the Head of State urged the athletes to go forth and conquer the world at the quadrennial greatest global sporting using the same template that saw Kenya top the planet at last year’s IAAF World Championships in Beijing.

“These people do not need to be doped to win starting with  (Julius) Yego who taught himself how to throw the Javelin. Show the world that we are clean and can win clean,” the president asserted.

“These people don’t need drugs or to be doped to win. We know they can win. Go out there and show how Kenya can do it. Show them we can win clean even if we don’t win show them we can play clean,” he added.

Kenya is at the centre of an international doping scandal that has seen over 40 athletes banned for prohibited substance use since 2012 and the country’s anti-doping body declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

He signed into law the Anti-Doping (Amended) Bill of 2016 last month to bring the country into full compliance with WADA and Kenya awaits to see whether the May 12 verdict against ADAK will be reversed as it continues being on world athletics body IAAF red list until at least December.

“We will pray for you, cheer you on and wish you the best as you tell the world the beautiful story of Kenya, the land of joyful, determined, hardworking proud people,” he added.

The President commended the athletes for their discipline, excellence and sacrifice that has projected them to national sporting leadership.

“You now stand on the cusp of worldwide glory. As you proceed to the Olympics, therefore, you bear your own dreams and aspirations as well as the expectations of 40 million Kenyans,” he said.

The Head of State reminded the athletes that they are not only a group of elite sportspeople but goodwill ambassadors representing the country at a global event.

He urged them to ensure they uphold the hard earned global reputation of Kenya as a clean sporting nation.

“Kenya has a strong tradition of proud, clean and successful competition in the Olympics. It is your turn to take this heritage even higher and make your brothers and sisters proud of their nation and their flag. I encourage each of you to rise to the occasion and excel,” said President.

The President said Kenya has great athletes of international repute who do not need to use drugs to win.

Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario said team Kenya which has a contingent of 185 members including officials will be participating in seven fields at the Olympic Games which include athletics, archery, judo, boxing, swimming, rugby and weight lifting.

They team also included 38 athletes who will participate in that Paralympics that will be held immediate after the Olympics.

“We are ready to be tested, we are open we have nothing to hide and so far we have more than 400 tests which have been carried out,” said CS Wario.

Other speakers included President of National Olympics Committee Kenya (NOCK) Dr. Kipchoge Keino who said thus far, 400 doping tests have been conducted on the team that is camping in Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties.

The first batch to Rio departs on Sunday followed by the second and third groups that will leave for Brazil on July 31 and August 7.

Additional reporting by Caro Kones/PSCU