Kenya fends off IAAF ban threat

Kenya Athletics chief has downplayed warnings that several of the country’s teams could be banned from the upcoming Rio Olympics if the federation is found to be non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

IAAF president Sebastian Coe on Thursday warned that he would ban Kenya’s athletics team from Rio if action was not taken after Kenya missed a February 14 deadline.

Athletics Kenya acting president Jackson Tuwei said the country was on track after the formation of the Anti-Doping Association of Kenya (ADAK), and had been given a two-month extension to show it was doing its job.

“We are working very closely with ADAK (Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya), we are working very closely with the ministry and all the other departments to see that everything is done within the limits and as much as we have been given another extension of two months, I think we will be able to work day and night to meet the requirements,” Tuwei said.

“The much I know is that we are definitely going to meet the requirements, and in my view I don’t think there’s any reason to be worried about this,” he added.

Kenya’s situation was worsened earlier this week when Athletics Kenya chief executive Isaac Mwangi stepped aside to allow a probe.

Many in Kenya fear doping is rife among their top-class runners.

IAAF vice-president Hamad Kalkaba Malboum is due to visit Kenya next week to inspect the preparations for the 2017 World Under-18 athletics championships.