Benard Kibet Among 8 Kenyan Athletes Provisionally Suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit for Doping…

Benard Kibet Among 8 Kenyan Athletes Provisionally Suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit for Doping…

 

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended eight Kenyan athletes, including prominent long-distance runner Benard Kibet, for violations related to doping. This announcement has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s athletics community, raising renewed concerns over the country’s ongoing battle with performance-enhancing drug use.

Benard Kibet, a rising star in the 10,000m and half-marathon disciplines, is among the most high-profile names on the list. The AIU stated that Kibet tested positive for a prohibited substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. His suspension is pending further investigations, with the AIU noting an “adverse analytical finding” in his sample collected during an out-of-competition test earlier this year.

Kibet’s case is particularly significant due to his recent string of strong performances. He had been viewed as one of Kenya’s top prospects for the upcoming World Athletics Championships and the 2024 Olympic Games. His suspension not only jeopardizes his career but also casts a shadow over the integrity of Kenya’s national athletics team.

Joining Kibet on the suspension list are seven other Kenyan athletes, most of whom compete in distance running events. The names include lesser-known but competitive athletes who have participated in international marathons and road races. The AIU has not yet released the specific substances or full details involved in each case, citing ongoing investigations.

The suspensions bring the total number of Kenyan athletes flagged for doping violations in recent years to over 70. Despite the country’s world-renowned dominance in middle and long-distance running, this growing list has increasingly drawn criticism and scrutiny from international sports bodies.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has previously expressed concern over the frequency of doping cases among Kenyan athletes. The AIU, in collaboration with Athletics Kenya and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), has ramped up testing protocols and awareness campaigns. However, the recurrence of such cases suggests systemic issues remain unresolved.

Kenya is currently categorized by the AIU as a “Category A” country — meaning it is considered at high risk for doping. Athletes from Category A countries are subject to stricter testing and qualification rules for major events, including mandatory out-of-competition testing in the lead-up to competitions like the Olympics.

In response to the latest suspensions, Athletics Kenya released a brief statement reaffirming its commitment to clean sport. “We are deeply disappointed by these developments. We will cooperate fully with the AIU and ADAK in ongoing investigations and will continue our efforts to educate athletes on the dangers and consequences of doping,” the federation said.

Meanwhile, the suspended athletes have the right to request the analysis of their B samples and to appeal the provisional bans. If the suspensions are upheld, they could face multi-year bans and disqualification from past and upcoming competitions.

The latest revelations are another blow to Kenya’s storied reputation in athletics. As the country prepares for future international competitions, questions linger over how effectively it can clean up its sport and rebuild trust on the global stage.

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