The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) is ramping up efforts to assist Olympic and Paralympic teams in maintaining up-to-date whereabouts information ahead of the 2024 Paris Games.
Whereabouts information gives the Anti-doping organisation the ability to locate athletes with no notice.
Failure of an athlete to update their whereabouts information leads to whereabouts failure which may lead to a ban by the Athletics Integrity Unity (AIU).
This initiative follows several whereabouts failures among Kenyan athletes.
Notable cases include two-time Gyeongju Marathon champion Kennedy Cheboror and 2019 Prague Half Marathon champion Caroline Kipkirui, both banned for two years.
More recently, 2022 Generali Milano Marathon champion Reuben Kipyego received a two-year ban effective from May 27.
Principal education officer at ADAK, Kennedy Mwai, emphasised the agency’s commitment to ensuring athletes are supported for seamless competition in Paris.
“We have taken responsibility to relieve our athletes of concerns about their whereabouts in Paris. Our goal is to have them update the details early to focus solely on competition whilst in Paris,” he said.
“We aim to provide them with unwavering support for a seamless competition and experience in Paris,” he added.
ADAK has deployed education teams to the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex and the Kipkeino High-Performance Training Centre to assist Team Kenya athletes heading to Paris.
“ADAK deployed the Education team to the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex and the Kipkeino High-Performance Training Centre in Kapsabet and Eldoret respectively to help Team Kenya athletes ensure their whereabouts details are properly updated before departure for the games,” the statement read.
The athlete’s information will be updated on the Anti-doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS).
“These details include travel dates, accommodation addresses, designated 60-minute time slots for testing, and competition schedules,” the statement added.
The team further visited Iten and Kesses for the same purpose.
Among the athletes assisted with their whereabouts filings are the African champion in the 1,500m Brian Komen, Edwin Kurgat, 2021 world U20 3,000m steeplechase champion Amos Serem and 2022 3,000m steeplechase commonwealth champion Abraham Kibiwott.
Other athletes include Boston Marathon runner-up Sharon Lokedi, 2022 5,000m world silver medallist Jacob Krop, Tokyo Marathon champion Benson Kipruto, World 10,000m record holder Beatrice Chebet, Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir and Valencia 10km Road race second runners up Lilian Kasait.
ADAK also visited athletes at their homes to ensure no one was overlooked in this critical preparation.
Kasait, who received a visit, praised ADAK's proactive approach, highlighting its importance in helping athletes meet the whereabouts requirements.