Kenya bags more IAAF medals

Julius Yego stands next to the scoreboard after winning Gold in men's Javelin. /Image Courtesy

On Day five of the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, Kenya continued to shine, ranking top on the medal board.

But on the same day, the country’s image was blotted and a dark cloud cast over these sterling wins. The International Association of Athletics Federations confirmed that two runners, Joyce Zakary (400m) and Francisca Koki (400m hurdles) failed doping tests.

The pair were suspended after testing positive for doping at the World Championships in Beijing, the IAAF announced.

There are thirteen Kenyan athletes currently serving suspension for doping.

For the longest time, it was accepted that Kenyan athletes are naturally gifted and talented. To top that, the country has recently slowly but successfully been diversifying its athletics into non-traditional areas. Doping is definitely the wrong route to take. Athletics Kenya (AK) and Kenyan society in general must tackle doping before it becomes entrenched, casting doubt on these otherwise stellar achievements.

     – Wakenya Canada (@westesita)