By AFP

As Kenya’s renowned distance runners prepare for the Olympics, they face the daunting challenge of overcoming a series of doping scandals that have tarnished the country’s reputation as a track and field powerhouse.

The latest setback came when marathon runner Beatrice Toroitich received a lifetime ban after her third positive drugs test. This followed a six-year ban for world 10km road race record holder Rhonex Kipruto in June, and another six-year ban for long-distance runner Rodgers Kwemoi in May.

Since 2017, nearly 100 Kenyan athletes, primarily long-distance runners, have been sanctioned for doping violations. This crackdown has been spearheaded by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) following the doping scandals at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

ADAK’s chief executive, Sarah Shibutse, emphasizes Kenya’s commitment to combating doping. “Kenya is making significant strides in the fight against doping,” Shibutse said. “We are relentless in this battle that is central to our national pride.”

Kenyan athletes heading to Paris have faced rigorous testing, with three out-of-competition tests in the ten months leading up to the Olympics. ADAK has collaborated with the independent Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the Kenyan sports ministry, and law enforcement to support athlete testing and investigations.

This cooperation has resulted in the closure of several pharmacies in the Rift Valley, a key region for Kenyan distance running, suspected of distributing performance-enhancing drugs to athletes.

Testing has increased substantially, with 2,000 tests conducted last year. ADAK aims to triple this number to 6,000 annually. “We are collecting more samples, which means more doping cases are being detected. This shows the process is working,” Shibutse said.

During a visit to Kenya in March 2023, AIU chief Brett Clothier warned athletes of stricter measures against doping. “More testing will result in more cases, but that doesn’t necessarily mean more doping. It’s a step toward addressing this issue once and for all,” Clothier stated.

ADAK’s head of anti-doping education and research, Martin Sisa Yauma, noted the effective use of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) in identifying recent dopers like Kipruto, Rodgers Kwemoi, and former Commonwealth and African 10,000m champion Joyce Chepkirui.

Athletes attempting to return to elite competition after doping bans often face significant challenges. Mark Otieno, a former national 100m champion banned for two years for using the prohibited anabolic steroid methasterone before the Tokyo Olympics, returned last November in an effort to qualify for the Paris Olympics. “I don’t wish a doping ban on anyone else,” said Otieno after failing to meet the Olympic 100m qualifying time of 10.00 seconds.