Four times world champion Vivian Cheruiyot and the 2015 world javelin champion Julius Yego have called for World Athletics and Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) bodies not to impose a blanket ban on Kenya instead they need to protect innocent and young athletes.
The two who were speaking during the National Police Service athletics in Eldoret, blamed some rogue individuals for rampant and repeatedly doping for personal gains. They raised concerns over the impeding ban on Kenya over violation of anti-doping rules.
The 2016 Rio Olympics 5000m champion, Cheruiyot said: “My sympathy goes to the young ones. They see us as their role models, and mentors in their career. I can’t talk much about grownups now because you know what is needed. I have been in athletics since 1998 now 24 years and I am still strong.”
They urged the athletes not to be self-centered and be mindful of their future careers, they have urged police athletics unit to introduce laws and strict measures which will see those involved in doping banned from the service and once proven should not appeal for the decision other than serve the imposed sentence.
The 2016 Rio Olympic silver medallist, Julius Yego said: “It is not good to beat me in a competition and you have used drugs. It is not right at all. All of us are chasing money, imagine if I was to win kshs 10 million and I lose to a doper it would be unfair. So let’s stay true to sports, respect the rules and we shall succeed.”
The two have urged AIU to give leniency to some athletes who might have doped unknowingly.
They have however appealed to the government to give more stringent measures to those found on doping to stop the country from threats of being banned like Russia.
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