The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will undertake a review of the evidence collated by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) in relation to claims from two Kenyan doctors that they supplied prohibited performance-enhancing drugs to worldwide athletes.
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“The investigation by the Sunday Times, conducted with German broadcaster ARD/WRD, said three men had been arrested by Kenyan authorities last week, having reviewed the film footage”.
One doctor is quoted as boasting about supplying “more than 50” athletes, including the British runners, based on his guarantee that he could dramatically improve their performances in “three months”.
UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead claimed the new allegations are of “grave concern and of significant interest”.
Elite British athletes who travel to Kenya to train are not exposed to the doping problems in the country, according to Eilish McColgan.
Reacting to the claims, the British Anti-Doping Agency said that they would be investigating the matter.
“UK Anti-Doping has concerns relating to the practices and the lack of anti-doping infrastructure in a number of countries, and as one of the world’s more developed NADOs, a key part of our work is to collaborate with worldwide partners to support and develop best practice around the globe”.
The doctors then produced medical notes and blood test results so it would appear they had simply treated the athletes for injuries. It says the associate claimed he had lied about helping athletes cheat – and had encouraged the doctors to lie as well “to make some money”.
None of the allegations as presented relating to British athletes accords with our experience.
The IOC also stated that if the Kenyan athletes wanted to compete at the Rio Olympics, they must be willing to go through extra doping tests before the event.
The training centre owner Pieter Langerhorst said the Iten camp had a firm anti-doping policy, with 16 cameras set up to monitor activity.
‘Whilst ultimately it is an athlete’s responsibility to protect themselves from doping, it is absolutely imperative that national governing bodies of sport ensure that their athletes and coaching staff are safeguarded and are training in safe and clean environments. “In due course, WADA will be reviewing the evidence that UKAD compiles and taking the necessary action to ensure the protection of clean sport”, Niggli continued. “That is what the top-level athletes take”.
“Clearly we can not comment on the conduct of athletes that are British or from other English-speaking nations that may attend the camp outside of our own performance programme”.
‘Clearly we can not comment on the conduct of athletes that are British or from other English-speaking nations that may attend the camp outside of our own performance programme’.
“Once WADA has had the opportunity to review the evidence from UKAD’s investigation, we will be better positioned to determine what action is required to address the allegations”.
The allegations will come as a major blow as it follows only weeks after Kenyan lawmakers passed into law – after being threatened with a similar sanction as the Russians by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – legislation making it a criminal act to either dope or to supply such products.
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This facility has also been used by athletes from other countries, including Britain, as well as Kenyan competitors.
