Marathon champions Kipsang and Keitany call for strong anti-doping campaign

Wilson Kipsang

Nairobi, Nov 12 (IANS)

New York Marathon champions Wilson Kipsang and Mary Keitany believe Kenya is not doing enough to curb the use of performance enhancement drugs and doping.

With the news of Chicago Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo still clear in the mind, Kipsang and Keitany are certain that more stringent measures by Athletics Kenya (AK) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will help stem the vice, reports Xinhua.

However, the duo want Kenya government to enhance education seminars among the training camps so all athletes are aware of the danger of testing positive and which foods, supplements and medication to avoid.

"The government should do thorough investigations and curb doping since it taints the good name of Kenya. It is sad to note that most athletes caught plead innocent and ignorant of their act. They need education," Kipsang, who is the president of the Professional Athletes Association of Kenya (PAAK), said Wednesday.

"But most important the government and AK must work hard to ensure sensitization of the same is done and all know the risks involved. We just need to have a clean sport," Kipsang added.

Jeptoo's urine sample, which was taken out of competition Sep 25, returned positive for the banned Erythropoietin (EPO).

Keitany, the women' s New York Marathon winner, asked AK to move with speed and deal with doping issues. She also said she supports proposed longer bans to those found guilty beyond the current two-year ban period.

"The federation should take action on doping cases because it' s giving our country a bad name. AK must name and even push those behind Rita's (Jeptoo) doping. Probe the people surrounding her and bring them to book. She did not do it knowingly, somebody convinced her. It' s time people took responsibility," Keitany said.

Barnaba Korir, AK Nairobi branch chairman said the AK Medical and Anti-Doping Commission should summon Jeptoo' s coach Claudio Berardelli and her agent Federico Rosa to give their side of the story.