Kenya Enhanced Anti-Doping Project Joint Working Group in Naivasha on Thursday (16th May).
Kenya will take a very clean team to the Paris 2024 Olympics!
This was the assurance made by the Kenya Enhanced Anti-Doping Project Joint Working Group in Naivasha on Thursday (16th May).
The team, consisting of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), Athletics Kenya (AK) and the Ministry of Sports, is currently holed up in the lakeside town to review the progress made by the country on the Multi -Agency Collaboration Program that was set up by the Government.
The two-day workshop that ends on Friday, is reviewing the progress made in education, testing, sports regulations, corporate communication, medical, finance, intelligence, investigation and legal.
“From the support and findings made from this report, we want to confidently say we will not only send the best athletes to Paris, but the cleanest ones,” Kenya Enhanced Anti-Doping Project Joint Working Group Steering Committee Chairman Wesley Korir underlined.
” We are now testing the athletes as many times as possible, and through the intelligence network, we will ensure those tested are not doing anything malicious behind closed doors,” Korir added.
So far, 67 athletes have qualified for the Paris Olympics and the federation is hopeful that many more will book their slots for the Summer Games, especially on the fringe sports.
“Qualification for Olympics ends on June 30th, and we are encouraging those who have not yet punch tickets to the championships to continue working hard,” stated AK President Lieutenant General (rtd) Jackson Tuwei.
ADAK’s Director Compliance and Testing, Peninah Wahome noted that the anti-doping body has so far reached over 1500 athletes in the race for the Paris Olympics Qualifiers.
She said the athletes have met the anti-doping requirements but will still need two more tests before the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics Games.
” We are glad that we have reached a bigger number than the previous Olympics. This is an assurance to the country that those participants going for the Olympics and its qualifiers are tested accordingly.” Wahome highlighted.
ADAK’s Director Compliance and Testing, Peninah Wahome addressing Kenya Enhanced Anti-Doping Project Joint Working Group in Naivasha on Thursday (16th May).
The ongoing review in Naivasha has been praised by WADA and AIU, adding that it is a step in the right direction for Kenya.
“As WADA, we have great interest in Kenya as the country is a pace setter for the African continent at the Olympics, moreso where athletics is concerned.
” We are here to observe the progress of the Multi -Agency Collaboration team, we want to see sustainability on the project, we are grateful to the Kenyan Government that has ensured the program is well supported,” WADA Africa Director, Rodney Swigelaar, said.
The AIU Chief Executive Officer Brett Clothier commended the Government’s financial commitment of USD 5million in the fight against doping.
“As AIU, we are very pleased with the ongoing project and the progress made, even though there is still lots of kilometer distance to be covered on the race,” Clothier underscored.
Paris Olympics selection criteria announced
Meanwhile, AK announced the selection criteria for the Games with invited athletes being required to have undergone the mandatory doping tests and qualified in their respective disciplines.
While those who will not have qualified before the trials set for 14th-15th June, will be put on standby until the closure of the qualifying window.
