Former Athletics Kenya boss loses appeal against his 6-month IAAF ban

An appeal by the former Chief Executive of Athletics Kenya (AK), Isaac Mwangi against his provisional ban has been rejected by the Ethics Committee of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

Mwangi was handed the six-month ban in February for violating anti-doping controls.

He was accused of eliciting bribes to reduce the doping bans of two athletes. But he has denied the allegations against him.

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The suspension of the ex-AK head followed an earlier ban by the Ethics Committee of the IAAF of former AK president, Isaiah Kiplagat, ex-deputy David Okeyo and former treasurer Joseph Kinyua on charges of misusing funds from a sponsorship by American sports manufacturing firm, Nike.

But they have all denied any wrong-doing.

The two athletes, Joy Sakari and Francisca Koki Manunga said Mwangi had asked each of them for $24,000 to reduce their four-year bans.

After his appeal was rejected, Mwangi told Reuters that he wanted any hearing to be held in public.

“My legal team appealed against the six-month suspension because we thought it was too long and punitive given that I was an employee and not an elected member of the board like the others,” Mwangi said.

“Now that our appeal is not successful we are looking forward to a fair and open hearing. I maintain my innocence, hence we want the hearing conducted in public because I want to face our accusers,” he added.

Kenya, a global leader in long distance races on the track and in marathons has seen several of its athletes banned for doping in the past three years.

The country however narrowly missed an international ban from the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) having missed two earlier deadlines to bring its doping processes at par with international regulations.

WADA on Thursday extended the deadline by a month, a period officials say should be enough to address the needed legislative lapses.

Reuters