This archive report was first published on 4 December 2019.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) recently held a seminar on road running integrity as part of Athletics Kenya's four-day Annual Athletes' Conference in Eldoret, which kicked off on Wednesday.
Day one of the conference, themed 'I choose Integrity,' focused on road running, with AIU officials engaging with athletes on doping matters.
According to Aditya Kumar, AIU Head of Education and Communication, Kenya was chosen for the inaugural programme due to the country's prowess in road races.
“Kenya happens to be the biggest hub of distance running with about 45 per cent of road runners hailing from Kenya and that is why we have to protect it first. After here we will also be heading to Ethiopia,” Kumar said.
World marathon record holders Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei, along with other elite athletes, attended the event, which Kumar described as a 'much better session than what we expected.'
David Rudisha, the world 800m record holder, praised Athletics Kenya for organizing the seminar, saying it was a step in the right direction as Kenya intensifies its war on doping.
“We are privileged to have a team from AIU as you know Kenya is still in category A of the World Athletics watch list. This is alarming but I am happy that AIU alongside Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya and the government are working round the clock to overcome this menace,” Rudisha said.
