IAAF suspends 3 Kenyan officials over subversion of anti-doping control

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has suspended three Kenyan officials in relation to potential subversion of the anti-doping control process in Kenya.

This is contained in a statement by the IAAF Information department on Tuesday.

It said, “the Chairman of the IAAF Ethics Commission, Michael Beloff QC, pursuant to powers first conferred upon the Chairman by the IAAF Council on Nov. 26, 2015 provisionally suspended all offices or positions in either Athletics Kenya or the IAAF, Isaiah Kiplagat, the President of Athletics Kenya, David Okeyo, the Vice-President and IAAF Council Member.

“And Joseph Kinyua, a former Treasurer of Athletics Kenya and Kenya Team Leader at the IAAF 2015 World Championships, in the interests of the integrity of the sport”.

It said that each individual “is provisionally suspended from any office or position in either Athletics Kenya or the IAAF which each presently holds and is precluded from assuming any new office or position in either organisation for a period of 180 days, starting on Nov. 30, pending investigation of complaints made against them.

“And evidence and information which has been received by the IAAF Ethics Commission”.

It said that the Chairman of the Ethics Commission imposed the orders for provisional suspension having carefully considered the complaints, evidence and information referred to the Ethics Commission.

“These are cases warranting investigation against Mr Kiplagat, Mr Okeyo and Mr Kinyua, in relation to potential subversion of the anti-doping control process in Kenya.

“And potential improper diversion from Athletics Kenya of funds received from Nike,’’ it noted.

The statement said that a prima facie case had also been found to exist in respect of Mr Kiplagat in relation to receipt personally or by Athletics Kenya, of an apparent gift of two motor vehicles from the Qatar Association of Athletics Federation in the period 2014-2015,’’ it said.

According to it, the ethics commission stresses that the imposition of orders for provisional suspension in this case, in no way prejudged the outcome of the investigation.

It, however, noted that the investigation would be carried out by Sharad Raoe, the Commission’s appointed investigator.
“The three officials are presumed innocent until the outcome of the investigation and the determination of any disciplinary charges which may follow from that investigation,” it added.