"We need your help" - AIU head's plea to Kenyan athletes

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ATHLETICS "We need your help" - AIU head's plea to Kenyan athletes

Abigael Wafula 09:00 - 30.03.2023

Clothier is in the country to discuss the menace with the relevant stakeholders.

Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Head Brett Clothier has called upon athletes in the country to come out and disclose everything they know about doping.

Clothier is in the country to discuss the doping menace with the relevant authorities and midway through his one-week tour, he addressed more than 200 athletes and coaches including other stakeholders.

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He has held two meetings in Kapsabet and Iten with an aim of urging the athletes to also support the initiative by the government in the fight against doping. The government has set aside an estimate of Sh660,000,000 million yearly to aid in the fight against the heinous act.

“It’s good to uncover the doping cases but we also need to educate athletes on the do’s and don’ts as one way of making sure the sport is clean.

If you see something suspicious, you just need to talk to law enforcement or Athletics Kenya as one way of protecting the sport. We are asking for your help,” he declared.

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The AIU head also noted that the funds set aside by the government is a great step towards strengthening the country’s testing and education programmes for the athletes. He revealed that the menace is a problem that requires collaborative efforts.

“As a regulatory body, we are advocating for clean sports and Kenya has shown support by bringing in the ministry of sports, law enforcement, the anti-doping agency, among other stakeholders and we are glad that this will help in reducing the numbers witnessed in the past,” Clothier said.

Meanwhile, Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang said there needs to be clear roles in the fight against doping even as the national government brings in more stakeholders.

“I believe coming up with the right working framework will give the county governments a role to play,” Sang said.

Also, not left behind were former 1500m world champion Asbel Kiprop and Carolyne Chepkosgei who requested AK to provide sports psychologists to counsel athletes who have been suffering.