PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Kenya: Kenyan, Russian athletes face stringent doping tests ahead of Rio Olympics
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenyan and Russian athletes will face more stringent anti-doping tests to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in Brazil, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Tuesday.
IOC President Thomas Bach said athletes from the two countries would be subjected to individual anti-doping tests since their countries were non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations.
On Tuesday, the IOC held an emergency summit in Switzerland to discuss the latest anti-doping regulations and findings after Kenya and Russia were found to be non-compliant with the WADA regulations.
IOC said at this moment, three National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) – Kenya, Russia and Spain – were non-compliant for different reasons. The non-compliance declaration of the Spanish NADO is for administrative reasons only and does not affect the doping-control system.
IOC said: "Because of the WADA non-compliance declaration of Kenya and Russia and the related substantial allegations, the Olympic Summit considers the 'presumption of innocence' of athletes from these countries being put seriously into question.
"As a result, every IF (International Federation) should take a decision on the eligibility of such athletes on an individual basis to ensure a level playing field in their sport. In this decision-making process, the absence of a positive national anti-doping test should not be considered sufficient by the IFs.
"This means that the respective IF should take into account other reliable adequate testing systems in addition to national anti-doping testing. This decision about the 'level playing field' in each of their very different Olympic sports, and eligibility, including of their member National Federations, should be taken by each IF taking into account all the specific circumstances in the relevant National Federations, any available evidence, the World Anti-Doping Code and the specific rules of their sport."
Kenyan athletics officials said they were watching the developments on the athletics front and were prepared to ensure full compliance with the WADA regulations.
Kipchoge Keino, President of the Kenyan National Olympic Committee (NOCK), said Kenya had no option but to comply with the regulations.
“We will have to do the testing and comply with WADA,” Keino told PANA.
-0- PANA AO/MA 21June2016
IOC President Thomas Bach said athletes from the two countries would be subjected to individual anti-doping tests since their countries were non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations.
On Tuesday, the IOC held an emergency summit in Switzerland to discuss the latest anti-doping regulations and findings after Kenya and Russia were found to be non-compliant with the WADA regulations.
IOC said at this moment, three National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) – Kenya, Russia and Spain – were non-compliant for different reasons. The non-compliance declaration of the Spanish NADO is for administrative reasons only and does not affect the doping-control system.
IOC said: "Because of the WADA non-compliance declaration of Kenya and Russia and the related substantial allegations, the Olympic Summit considers the 'presumption of innocence' of athletes from these countries being put seriously into question.
"As a result, every IF (International Federation) should take a decision on the eligibility of such athletes on an individual basis to ensure a level playing field in their sport. In this decision-making process, the absence of a positive national anti-doping test should not be considered sufficient by the IFs.
"This means that the respective IF should take into account other reliable adequate testing systems in addition to national anti-doping testing. This decision about the 'level playing field' in each of their very different Olympic sports, and eligibility, including of their member National Federations, should be taken by each IF taking into account all the specific circumstances in the relevant National Federations, any available evidence, the World Anti-Doping Code and the specific rules of their sport."
Kenyan athletics officials said they were watching the developments on the athletics front and were prepared to ensure full compliance with the WADA regulations.
Kipchoge Keino, President of the Kenyan National Olympic Committee (NOCK), said Kenya had no option but to comply with the regulations.
“We will have to do the testing and comply with WADA,” Keino told PANA.
-0- PANA AO/MA 21June2016
