The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan long-distance runner Kibiwott Kandie for evading, refusing, or failing to submit to sample collection, marking the latest in a series of doping-related cases involving Kenyan athletes.
Kandie, a former half-marathon world record holder, is one of the country’s most prominent athletes. The provisional ban, announced on Friday, is the first step in a disciplinary process that could lead to a longer suspension if Kandie is found guilty of violating anti-doping rules.
The 28-year-old athlete burst onto the international scene in 2020 when he set a new half-marathon world record in Valencia, clocking an impressive 57:32. He has since been a key figure in Kenya’s distance running squad, competing in major events such as the World Athletics Championships.
Under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, a provisional suspension is mandatory in cases involving adverse analytical findings for non-specified substances on the Prohibited List. However, it can also be imposed in other doping-related cases, such as evading sample collection, depending on the circumstances.
Under the World Athletics rules, a provisional suspension is not an indication of guilt but rather a precautionary measure to protect the integrity of the sport. Kandie retains the right to a fair hearing, where he will have the opportunity to present his case. Until then, he is barred from participating in any competition or activity related to athletics.
Kandie’s suspension is the latest in a string of doping scandals involving Kenyan athletes. Over the past year, the sport, renowned for its dominance in long-distance running, has seen several of its athletes banned for anti-doping violations.
In March, Lawrence Cherono, a two-time major marathon winner, was provisionally suspended for using a prohibited substance. Similarly, Diana Kipyokei, the 2021 Boston Marathon champion, and Betty Wilson Lempus were banned for doping offences.
The AIU has also suspended other Kenyan athletes, including Philemon Kacheran and Mark Kangogo, for violating anti-doping rules. These cases have raised concerns about the prevalence of doping in Kenya’s athletic programmes and have put the country’s running legacy under scrutiny.
The provisional suspension of Kandie comes just days after World Athletics President Sebastian Coe announced an audit of medals won by Kenyan athletes over the past decade.
The move is part of a broader effort to ensure the integrity of the sport and to address the growing number of doping cases involving Kenyan runners. Coe described the situation as “deeply concerning” and stressed the need for stricter measures to combat doping.
Kenya has long been a powerhouse in global athletics, producing some of the world’s most celebrated long-distance runners. However, the country’s success has been marred by a series of doping scandals, prompting calls for stronger anti-doping measures.
In 2016, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) declared Kenya non-compliant with its code, leading to the establishment of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) to address the issue.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE