The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has stepped up to assist the Olympic and Paralympic Teams in maintaining accurate and up-to-date whereabouts information on the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics. This move follows a series of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) stemming from whereabouts failures among athletes.
ADAK deployed the Education team to the Eliud Kipchoge Sports Complex and the Kipkeino High Performance Training Centre in Kapsabet and Eldoret respectively to help Team Kenya athletes ensure their whereabouts details are properly updated before departure for the games. These details include travel dates, accommodation addresses, designated 60-minute time slots for testing, and competition schedules. Additionally, the team visited Iten and Kesses for the same purpose.
Kennedy Mwai, the Principal Education Officer at ADAK, emphasized the Agency’s commitment: “We have taken responsibility to relieve our athletes of concerns about their whereabouts in Paris. Our goal is to have them update the details early to focus solely on competition whilst in Paris. We aim to provide them with unwavering support for a seamless competition and experience in Paris.”
Among the athletes assisted with their whereabouts filings are Brian Komen, Edwin Kurgat, Amos Serem, Abraham Kibiwott, Sharon Lokedi, Jacob Krop, Benson Kipruto, Beatrice Chebet, Peres Jepchirchir, Lilian Kasait, Wilson Bii, Benard Koskei, among others.
ADAK went the extra mile, visiting athletes at their homes to ensure no one was overlooked in this crucial preparation. Speaking at her home, Lilian Kasait, the 10,000m medal hopeful, applauded the Agency for its proactiveness in ensuring the athletes are fully compliant with the whereabouts requirements.
ADAK remains steadfast in its commitment to prevent any sanctions against Team Kenya athletes due to whereabouts failures. We wish all the very best to Team Kenya.