Anti-Doping Campaign Kicks Off Ahead of the Paris Olympics

By Shadrack Nyakoe

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) is committed to ensuring a clean team for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. ADAK’s Head of Anti-Doping Education and Research, Martin Sisa, stated that mandatory testing has already been conducted on all teams heading to the Summer Games.

Testing began in September last year and will continue until the World Athletics deadline on July 4.

At the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Anti Doping Seminar, Sisa announced that ADAK has tested over 4,135 athletes and engaged with 8,500 stakeholders in athletics alone. Additionally, 1,348 athletes from other disciplines have been tested, reaching 16,512 stakeholders overall.

Athletics has been a focal point due to its high-risk classification.

Sisa highlighted ADAK’s collaboration with the WADA Africa office and regional anti-doping organizations to strengthen anti-doping efforts.

“We’ve conducted extensive testing over the past year to ensure a clean team for the Olympics,” Dr. Sisa said. “Both testing and education programs for athletes and their entourages are progressing well.”

ADAK has surpassed other global anti-doping organizations in testing numbers, with some athletes tested more than three times.

The focus on out-of-competition testing aims to provide intelligence-based assessments.

Sisa emphasized the importance of visiting Olympic team camps for testing and education to prevent issues like those seen during the Rio Olympics in 2016.

SJAK President James Waindi thanked ADAK for their support and partnership with sports journalists.

“This workshop is crucial in an Olympic year, helping journalists understand the complexities of doping,” Waindi said.

ADAK CEO Sarah Shibutse, through a speech read by Dr. Sisa, acknowledged the role of journalists in the campaign.

“Journalists can expose doping scandals and prompt action from sports authorities and the government,” Shibutse noted.