On Tuesday, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) announced the provisional suspension of 33 athletes for violating anti-doping rules. This marks an unprecedented number of suspensions, with 26 track and field athletes, including reigning Amsterdam Marathon champion Joshua Belet, among those sanctioned. The remaining suspended athletes come from basketball (3), rugby (3), and handball (1).
Joshua Belet, who led a Kenyan sweep at the Amsterdam Marathon in October with a remarkable time of 2:04:18—the third fastest ever recorded in the event’s history—has been suspended for the presence of multiple banned substances. These substances include Anabolic Androgenic Steroids, Testosterone, Adiol, Pregnanediol, Androsterone, and Etiocholanolone.
Other notable names on the list include former Kenya Sevens fly-half maestro Brian Wahinya, 2012 World Under-20 5000m champion David Bett, up-and-coming sprinters Duke Osoro and Joan Jeruto, as well as basketball players Alex Ramazani, Albert Onyango, and James Mwangi Maina.
This announcement comes as Kenya’s athletes prepare for the Paris Summer Games, where they are required to undergo at least three anti-doping tests by July 4. The first deadline for these tests passed on May 3.
ADAK has intensified its testing efforts, resulting in the high number of suspensions. The agency has ramped up its clean sport programs and implemented rigorous testing protocols, particularly targeting athletes in the lead-up to major international competitions.
The release of this list highlights the ongoing battle against doping in sports, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and stringent testing to maintain the integrity of athletics.
