Marathon Winner Among 33 Kenyan Star Athletes Suspended

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has suspended 33 athletes for violating various doping rules.

Among those provisionally suspended include 26 from athletics, with other cases coming from basketball, rugby and handball. 

“In accordance with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya Rules as provided under Rule 14.3 on Public Disclosure, find below a listing of athletes that have receive for anti-doping violations under the ADAK Rules and/or the Athletes International Federation Rules,” ADAK said.

Among those who have been suspended is long distance runner and 2023 Amsterdam Marathon champion Joshua Belet.

Belet, 26, has been suspended for the presence of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids, Testosterone, Adiol, Pregnanediol, Androsterone and Etiocholanolone.

ADAK Officer

ADAK legal officer Bildad Rogoncho said the increased doping cases is a result of enhanced testing.

He disclosed that the government increased funding for anti-doping programs to Ksh600 million annually.

Rogoncho noted that this financial boost enabled ADAK officials to visit camps nationwide and conduct more out-of-competition tests.

“We didn’t have most of these athletes’ data due to lack of resources, but we are now empowered to reach many and we want to thank Athletics Kenya for this,” he said.

Additionally, he maintained that the suspended athletes will not participate in any competition since their travel documents will be flagged down at immigration department.

Also Read: Aldrine Kibet & Other Athletes Who Made Kenya Proud in 2023

Other Suspended Athletes

Other suspended athletes are 2012 World Under-20 5,000m champion David Kiprotich Bett and Dorcas Jepchumba Kimeli.

Bett’s samples had the presence of prohibited substance 19-norandrosterone while Jepchumba is accused of tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control.

Besides, Duke Osoro Ogoti tested positive to Anabolic Androgenic Steroids and Joan Jeruto failed to submit to sample collection and have both been suspended.

“If they consumed cannabis sativa just before the matches that is a straight two-year ban. However, if they took it out-of-competition and can prove that they didn’t use it for performance enhancement then they will get three months. If they plead guilty and agree to go for rehabilitation then they will get a one-month ban,” said Rogoncho.

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Rugby & Basketball

Former Kenya Simbas and Kenya Sevens player Brian Wahinya has been suspended alongside fellow Kenya Harlequin rugby players Charlton Mokua and Zeden Lutomia Marrow.

The three have been suspended due to the presence of the prohibited substance Cannabinoids which is linked to cannabis sativa.

Nairobi City Thunder basketballers Alex N’sasse Ramazani, Albert Einstein Onyango Odero and James Mwangi Maina have also been suspended.

Ramazani and Onyango face charges for the presence of Cannabinoids while Maina had the presence of prohibited substance stimulants/methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

According to reports, this is the highest number of athletes ADAK has suspended for doping since January 2023 when the Agency banned 20 athletes when Kenya was almost being banned by World Athletics.

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