The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan long-distance runner Kibiwott Kandie.
The FDA accuses Kandie of dodging, rejecting, or neglecting to submit to sample collection, the most recent in a string of doping-related charges involving Kenyan athletes.
Kandie, the former half-marathon world record holder, is one of the country’s most well-known athletes.The interim ban, issued on Friday, is the first step in a disciplinary procedure that might result in a longer punishment if Kandie is found guilty of violating anti-doping regulations.
The 28-year-old athlete rose to prominence in 2020, when he set a new half-marathon world record in Valencia, recording 57:32. He has since played an important role in Kenya’s distance running squad, competing in big competitions such as the World Athletics Championships.
A provisional ban is required by the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules in circumstances involving adverse analytical findings for non-specified drugs on the Prohibited List.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be enforced in other doping-related crimes, such as dodging sample collection. Under World Athletics rules, a provisional ban is not a sign of guilt, but rather a preventative measure to maintain the sport’s integrity.
Kandie retains the right to a fair hearing in which he can submit his case. Until then, he is not permitted to compete in any sporting event or activity. Kandie’s punishment is the latest in a series of doping controversies affecting Kenyan athletes.
Over the last year, the sport, known for its domination in long-distance running, has had numerous competitors suspended for anti-doping infractions. Lawrence Cherono, a two-time major marathon winner, was provisionally disqualified in March after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Similarly, Diana Kipyokei, the 2021 Boston Marathon champion, and Betty Wilson Lempus were disqualified for doping offenses.
Other Kenyan athletes, like Philemon Kacheran and Mark Kangogo, have been suspended by the AIU for violating anti-doping standards.These incidents have raised worries about the frequency of doping in Kenya’s sporting programs, calling the country’s running legacy into question.
Kandie’s provisional suspension comes only days after World Athletics President Sebastian Coe launched an audit of Kenyan competitors’ medal totals over the last decade.
The action is part of a larger attempt to protect the integrity of the sport and address the growing number of doping charges involving Kenyan runners.
Coe called the situation “deeply concerning” and emphasized the need for tighter anti-doping procedures.
Kenya has long been a powerhouse in international athletics, producing some of the world’s most famous long-distance runners. However, the country’s success has been hampered by a series of doping scandals, prompting calls for stricter anti-doping measures.
