NAIROBI, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Kenya will not include athletes who fail dope test in any national team going for the Olympic Games or world championships even if the dopers have been cleared and served their mandatory suspension, officials said on Thursday.
Athletics Kenya (AK) president Jack Tuwei said those who will get the nod, will now be required to win in the national trials and also agree to provide three out-of-competition dope test results and a similar number during competition.
"We have very good talent, but they are being wasted by unscrupulous agents offering them dope," said Tuwei on Thursday in Nairobi, when he presided over the opening sensitization conference against doping.
Kenya has had over 50 cases of positive dope tests in the last six years, which has triggered the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to place it in category A, alongside Ethiopia, Ukraine and Venezuela of countries likely to have its athletes cheat.
This means that Kenya runners are subjected to intense and frequent test, especially prior to the global championships.
"There is no need to have a cheat running in national colors bringing ridicule to our country. We will stick to athletes that agree to run and win clean," said Tuwei.
New York marathon champion Mary Keitany asked young athletes to be careful who they sign up with as their coach.
Keitany warned, many coaches are lustful for quick rewards and may push them to cheat in order to win international accolades.
"Run clean and always train hard. That is the simplest way to win and remain in the sport for long. Doping is harmful to your body and will always expose you. Once caught, your career will be gone," said Keitany.
Beijing Olympics 800m champion Wilfred Bungei said he was able to remain active in competition for over a decade, competing at the high level, because he was disciplined and avoided the allure of using banned performance enhancing drugs.
