In the recent past Kenyan athletes have faced unprecedented cases of doping,that has threatened to jeopardise their credibility.
More disconcerting however is the fact that some athletes are being sanctioned due to whereabouts violations. Whereabouts rules, requires athletes to provide details of where they can be found for one hour everyday, to Anti-Doping organizations. It was introduced in 2004 under international standard for testing and investigations.
The following are circumstances under which athletes can be sanctioned due, to whereabouts failure.
- Failure to submit their whereabouts within required deadline.
- Inability to update whereabouts due to change of circumstances.
- Giving out incomplete or inaccurate whereabouts. Home address, Training address and competition scheduled should be accurate.
- Failure to be available for testing at precise location corresponding to 60- minute time slot.
It's worth noting that,athletes can have their Agents or other representative submit their whereabouts. However athletes have ultimate responsibility of their whereabouts
Under the world Anti-Doping rules,any combination of three whereabouts failure within a period of 12months; will results to a sanction of 2 years, subject to reduction to a minimum of 1 year depending on degree of fault.
It's preposterous that some athletes can miss up to four test, Yet they have onus to make sure they avail themselves for testing.
At the beginning of this year Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) sound a warning to any athlete who will violate whereabouts rules. Former marathon record holder, Wilson Kipsang and Elijah Manangoi found themselves on receiving end. The duo have represented Kenya in international assignments. Kipsang won bronze medals in 2012 Olympics whereas Manangoi is the former world champion in 1500m.
Currently Kenya is navigating on uncharted water, as reports emerged that sponsors had planned to withdraw from races where kenyans will be taking part due to soaring doping cases.
