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Kenya says athletes found doping to be prosecuted

Xinhua, April 27, 2017 Adjust font size:

Kenya athletes whose sample tests return positive result have been put on notice they will stand on their own in their defence against any punishment.

Athletics Kenya (AK) President Jack Tuwei said they will not be held accountable for the action of individual athletes having taken them through several awareness retreat and education in the last six months.

Tuwei also cautioned that they will not hesitate to prosecute those using Kenyan law, whose parliament has passed legislation criminalizing doping in the country.

"We wish to remind our athletes that they will be held responsible for any doping offences and, in consultation with relevant authorities, we will not hesitate to evoke the laws of the land to deal with these offences. Doping is a criminal offence in Kenya now and those involved in this heinous act, which is threatening the lives of our athletes, will face the full force of law," Tuwei said in Nairobi on Thursday.

Kenyan authorities will also reprimand all accomplices who aid athletes to dope that they will not be left off the hook.

"We also wish to send a very strong message to athletes' representatives, doctors, coaches and all athletes support personnel that those found culpable or proved to be encouraging our athletes in this line of sporting subterfuge will be charged as prescribed by the law of the land," said Tuwei.

Kenya got a big blow last month when Olympic Champion Jemimah Sumgong out of competition test turned positive for performance enhancement drug EPO.

"Let it be known that we condemn cheating in sport in general, whether by faking age of athletes, bribing officials or partaking of performance-enhancing substances in the strongest terms possible," he added.

"We now have a Kenya Doctors Network where athletes are supposed to visit identified doctor only in case of any medical conditions. This procedure is in force and would like to remind all the athletes not to visit any other doctor apart from those listed in the programme."

"It is also important to remind all athletes intending to travel abroad for any competition to seek clearance from Athletics Kenya," he said. Endit