Kenya facing international ban for doping ‘crisis’

Kenya faces the prospect of being banned from international athletics because of doping problems that have now reached “crisis” levels, according to authorities in the country.

The threat of an imminent ban by track and field governing body World Athletics would have repercussions for a number of medal contenders at next year’s world championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The ministry said there was a “doping crisis” in the East African nation and said that sports minister Ababu Namwamba had written to World Athletics and “urged” the governing body “not to ban Kenya.”

World Athletics is due to hold a meeting of its decisionmaking Council in Rome next week, when the issue of Kenya is reportedly due to be discussed.