WADA Declares Kenya Non-Compliant with Anti-Doping Regulations

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced that Kenya’s Anti-Doping Agency (ADAK) is currently non-compliant with its regulations, threatening significant repercussions unless specific actions are taken by next month.

Key Issues Identified by WADA

In a statement issued just before the World Championships in Tokyo, WADA indicated that ADAK did not fulfill several “critical requirements” that were pointed out during an audit conducted in May of the previous year.

ADAK has a period of 21 days from the receipt of this formal notice to contest WADA’s claims regarding its non-compliance.

This ruling was decided by WADA’s executive committee, based on suggestions from its independent compliance review committee.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

WADA stated that the implications of this decision will come into effect on October 2, right after the conclusion of the World Championships, unless a challenge is made by that date.

Potential sanctions include the revocation of all privileges from WADA, which encompasses funding and participation in various programs. Furthermore, representatives from Kenya will be restricted from holding positions within WADA’s boards or committees.

Additionally, Kenya would be prohibited from being granted the rights to host regional, continental, or world championships, along with other international events during any period of non-compliance.

The East African country aspires to bid for either the 2029 or 2031 World Athletics Championships after previously failing in its attempt to host this year’s event, which commences on Saturday.

Contact has been made with Kenyan officials for a response to WADA’s announcement.

Concerns surrounding doping have plagued Kenyan athletics for extensive periods, with 19 athletes from the nation being banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in 2025 alone. Six more athletes, including Ruth Chepngetich, the women’s marathon world record holder, have faced provisional suspensions since January.

On Thursday, marathon runner Sabastian Sawe, recognized as the fastest man this year, stated that the doping issue has “become like a cancer for Kenyan athletes.” In a public statement, he highlighted the severity of the problem within the nation.

Ethiopia’s Diribe Welteji Faces Suspension

In other news, Ethiopian middle-distance runner Diribe Welteji will not participate in the World Championships due to a provisional suspension granted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) at the request of AIU.

The 23-year-old athlete, who earned a silver medal in the 1500 meters at the last World Championships in Budapest two years ago, was recently cleared of allegations regarding her refusal to provide a doping sample by the Ethiopian Anti-Doping Authority.

However, AIU appealed this decision to CAS, seeking Welteji’s ineligibility to compete until the situation is resolved. CAS confirmed her suspension will remain in effect throughout its arbitration process.

Welteji was expected to compete in the women’s 1500m heats at Tokyo’s National Stadium on Saturday.

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