Nothing is being spared to send clean athletes to Rio- Wario

Sports Cabinet Secretary; Dr. Hassan Wario and other high ranking national and regional government officials have assured no effort is being spared to send a clean team to the Rio 2016 Olympics in light of the damning allegations aired by German TV, ARD and published by Sunday Times over the weekend.

Speaking on Tuesday when he launched the training camp for Kenya’s team to Rio 2016 Olympics in Eldoret, Wario announced that over 230 athletes had been tested by the Anti Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) through the African Zone V Regional Anti-Doping Organisation.

Wario added that dope testing in different camps for Rio started at 4am on Tuesday and there are 32 athletes who will undergo the procedure thrice to ensure the Kenyan team is clean.

“These athletes will form the team Kenya contingent that will travel to Rio and Kenya continues to subject her athletes to the rigorous testing regime both locally and by independent accredited international officers” said Wario.

The Minister added the country has given world athletics governing body IAAF and their Olympics counterparts; IOC unlimited access to athletes and facilities being used for training to ensure that the nation is free from doping.

The Cabinet Secretary who was accompanied by ADAK CEO; Japhter Rugut, Uasin Gishu Governor; Jackson Mandago and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart; Alex Tolgos was perturbed by the doping allegations in the latest expose prepared by Hajo Seppelt.

“Our security agencies have invited United Kingdom Anti Doping partner in the search for the British athletes mentioned in the documentary as having been involved in doping in Kenya, so as to aid the ongoing investigations in Kenya,” the Cabinet Secretary noted.

Wario said the Government has taken immediate steps to investigate both the doping allegations and the authenticity of the report made against the sporting fraternity.

“As a nation renowned for our sporting prowess, we will relentlessly pursue these allegations to their logical conclusion and take action on any one found culpable,” he declared following the documentary that claimed Kenyan and British athletes were using EPO in a camp in Iten.

Wario noted with concern that unsubstantiated allegations on doping are published every time when the country comes closer to major sporting events saying such reports are aimed at denting Kenya’s image as a great sporting nation besides dampening the spirits of clean athletes.

“Further, the latest allegations of doping come at a time when Kenya has duly fulfilled all requirements set by the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) in readiness for certification as a doping free country,” Wario underscored.

“This is just psychological warfare to kill the morale of Kenyan athletes but will not stop them from winning in Rio de Janeiro,” the Uasin Gishu County boss emphasised.

ADAK was declared non-compliant to the WADA Code on May 12 and the country recently amended legislation to deal with the vice as recommended by the world anti-doping body that remains to reverse its verdict.

Report by Cyrus Sholim