Athletics Kenya (AK) has warned athletes involved in age cheating that they will face strict sanctions, comparable to those imposed on individuals found guilty of doping. This announcement follows an investigation initiated by World Athletics, which flagged 30 Kenyan athletes for alleged discrepancies in their reported dates of birth.
Ongoing Investigations and Verification
Barnaba Korir, AK’s Youth Development Chairman, revealed that the cases under investigation span as far back as eight years and involve some of Kenya’s top athletes.
“There are instances where some athletes might have provided inconsistent dates of birth. World Athletics has tasked us with verifying the actual ages of these athletes,” Korir said.
“The President of Athletics Kenya has mandated us to conduct thorough investigations and submit a report by January 15, 2025, for sharing with World Athletics.”
AK is working in collaboration with security agencies to hold accountable any government officials complicit in falsifying birth registration documents.
Commitment to Fairness and Integrity
Korir emphasized that the integrity of the sport must be upheld to ensure fairness in competition:
“Other countries need to trust our systems. It’s about ensuring fairness—kids should compete against kids, not adults. It’s better to lose without winning a medal than to win dishonestly.”
To reinforce this commitment, Athletics Kenya has mandated that only athletes who participate in the ongoing nationwide registration will be eligible to compete in both local and international events.
Nationwide Registration Initiative
To streamline compliance, Athletics Kenya has set up two registration centers in Nairobi and Eldoret. This initiative ensures accurate record-keeping and promotes clean sport across all levels of competition.
A Call for Clean and Fair Sport
Athletics Kenya reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on dishonesty and malpractice in athletics. The federation aims to rebuild trust in Kenya’s athletic systems and maintain its reputation as a global powerhouse in track and field.
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