Doping Research Focusing On Kenyans

The World Athletic Doping Agency has commissioned a scholar for a two-year study.

An expert from the University of Stirling in the United Kingdom will study either the prevalence or absence of performance enhancing drugs in Kenyan elite runners. The World Athletic Doping Agency (WADA) selected Dr Paul Dimeo to conduct the two-year study.

“Kenyan athletes are not widely suspected of doping with only eight high-profile cases in the past 20 years and several of these included taking substances such as clomiphene and salbutamol, which might have been for medical purposes,” said Dr Dimeo.

Dr. Dimeo noted that WADA is focusing on Kenya, because it doesn’t report the statistic of national-level testing. “My research will look to identify if there is a problem in Kenyan running, but it’s also about getting an understanding of the attitudes and practices of athletes, coaches and sports staff in Kenya towards doping in athletics,” he said.

Another issue is the lack of availability of the Internet–a key source for anti-doping information.

Dr. Dimeo will partner with experts and scholars at Kenyatta University in Kenya.

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