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New documentary reveals major doping concerns

April 17, 2015 08:55 IST

A new Kenyan television programme that corroborates the findings from a 2012 German documentary alleging unethical doctors were providing banned drugs to athletes, has set off alarms at the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Rita Jeptoo of Kenya"This is of concern to WADA and the broader anti-doping community," WADA Director General David Howman said in a statement.

"We will discuss the documentary allegations ... and will engage the authorities in Kenya next week during a regional meeting in Nairobi."

WADA said it has seen the Kenyan television programme which contains a number of allegations surrounding the influence of the athlete entourage in relation to the provision of banned substances.

"Where evidence from the documentary leads to breaches of the World Anti-Doping Code, WADA would expect the appropriate bodies to fully investigate and take action," said Howman.

Kenya recently partnered with WADA and the Chinese and Norwegian anti-doping agencies to develop an effective anti-doping programme to help root out drug cheats in the east African country famous for its middle and long-distance runners.

Dozens of Kenyan athletes have failed doping tests in the past two years with government officials pointing the finger at foreign agents and Athletics Kenya's failure to educate its sportsmen and women properly.

Rita Jeptoo, a three-times winner of the Boston Marathon, is among the high-profile athletes to test positive for a banned substance after she was nabbed in an out-of-competition test last year.

Image: Rita Jeptoo of Kenya crosses the finish line to win the 118th Boston Marathon on April 21, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts

Photograph: Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Source: REUTERS
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