NAIROBI, Kenya, January 9 – Athletics Kenya (AK) has instructed agents to provide blood profiles of their athletes on regular basis or as when required by the medical and Anti-doping commission.
This was announced Friday by AK president Isaiah Kiplagat when launching 11 policies intended to help curb the doping menace in the country.
“Every elite athlete is required to have a biological passport that will record the movement of their blood values. From this month (January), agents are required to give us their athlete’s blood testing report every month because it will help us keep a data base as we follow them in and out of competition.
“We are partnering with relevant and accredited centers to enhance this monitoring process that will be linked to the already existing program handled by IAAF and World Anti- doping Agency (WADA),” Kiplagat declared.
After the recent case of two-time Boston and double Chicago marathon champion Rita Jeptoo who tested positive for using banned substance blood booster EPO, AK has partnered with Anti-doping Agency of Kenya and Regional Anti-doping Organization (RADO) to ensure more out of competition tests are conducted thought the country.
“The federation has increased the number of tests that will be conducted during the competitions beginning this month and that will depend on the level of event like in the national or regional where not less than 12 tests will be done.
“We want to be as fast as possible to catch the athletes locally and avoid the embarrassment when they test positive out of the country. Doping will be done randomly in addition to winners,” the AK boss added.
-new competitions rules-
The new competition rules will also see the road running commission led by the federation vice president David Okeyo, ensure all events are licensed, registration of athletes and coaches by March to control the mushrooming of events that may led an athlete take prohibited substances.
“We will be inspecting all venues to make sure Anti-doping is carried out and any official or coach found in a competition which has not been sanctioned by AK will be banned.
“All officials will be issued with an officiating card that will be marked every year and at the end of the season we will give them their grade but the card can be withdrawn if they don’t adhere to the rules.”
In order to protect the workload on athletes, the federation will closely monitor the programs of all athletes and their agents will be required to submit the program for the whole season which will be vetted and authorized by the federation.
At the same, an audit to determine the number of athletes who have had cases of doping and under whose management they fall will be done with all the local sub-agents ordered to register with AK.
“The sub-agents will be ratified with their roles clearly spelt out by their foreign management affiliations. Non registered sub agents will not be allowed to deal with athletes, whether through training or arranging for clearance letters for athletes,” Kiplagat added.
The Medical Anti-doping Commission will be expanded and will now include members from the private sector, RADO, Medical Practitioners Board, Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Administrators, Anti- Doping Agency of Kenya, NOCK Medical Commission, Lawyers, Athletes Representative and the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts.
Kiplagat noted stiff action will be taken against Jeptoo’s coaches Claudio Berardelli and Noah Busienei as well as her manager Federico Rosa once the Medical and Anti-doping Commissions conclude her hearing next week.
“That commission will not leave anyone scot-free and togh actions will be taken once the recommendations are out. We are serious about doping.”
Meanwhile, this year’s National Cross Country championship cum World Cross trials has attracted participants from Uganda, Eretria, Mauritius, Gambia and Ghana while other countries are yet to confirm.
The event that will be held February 14, will be graced by the IAAF Director of competitions.
