This is the second Kenyan coach that it is ban from Rio 2016, rising concerns about the country’s past reputation regarding doping.
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Rotich, who was sent back to Kenya from Brazil last weekend, was filmed by Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper and German television channel ARD allegedly demanding 10,000 pounds ($13,000, 11,800 euros) for testing information. Rotich has denied any wrongdoing.
According to Kenyan officials, John Anzrah, a sprint coach, gave a urine sample and even signed documents as he impersonated Ferguson Rotich, an 800m athlete.
“On Wednesday, Ferguson Rotich gave me his card to use for breakfast”, Anzrah told a throng of reporters upon landing at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport from Rio on Friday.
He admitted Doping Control Officers picked him up at the dining hall since he was wearing Rotich’s accreditation badge and signed a form to stall the officials as he waited for the athlete who qualified for Saturday’s Olympics semi finals to show up.
Ruto said the government had come good on its promise to Team Kenya that either the President or himself would travel to Rio to “stand with the team”.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) said there was no preliminary evidence to suggest any attempt to compromise the drug test, “but a awful mix-up”.
The 18-year-old, who finished fourth in the women’s 100 metres butterfly, had been scheduled to compete in the 50 metres freestyle on Friday.
The Kenyan team has been heavily tested for doping in the buildup to the Olympics because of years of problems in the country, a powerhouse in distance running.
While Anzrah was sent home by the Kenyan team, the International Olympic Committee didn’t say if there would be any repercussions for Rotich.
“For the record, World Anti Doping Agency, IOC and IAAF know we have complied in as far as matters on doping are concerned”.
The Olympics body’s Director of Communications, Mark Adams however, said investigations into the incident are ongoing although there was no preliminary evidence to suggest any attempt to compromise the drug test.
“We take note of the decision of the Kenyan Olympic Committee to send home its athletics coach following a violation of anti-doping rules and we thank the NOC for its swift action”, the IOC said. When the doping control officer discovered that his face did not match the photograph on his accreditation, he was expelled from the game.
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“When the anti-doping officials met him, they assumed he was the athlete and that he was lined up for testing”, said the source.
