Coe confirms German media's Kenya doping claims

Bengaluru, September 24: IAAF President Sebastian Coe confirmed reports in German media which said the governing body's integrity unity had received claims of doping against Kenyan athletes ahead of the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019.

Television channel ZDF alleged at least two athletes had taken performance enhancing erythropoietin (EPO), which boosts the capacity of blood to carry oxygen, before the Doha Worlds to be held from September 27 to October 6.

"I know the AIU (Athletics Integrity Unit) is following up on some accusations that have been made in the German media. I'm sure they (AIU) will report back as soon as they've established the facts to the IAAF," Coe was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

ZDF published secret film footage of a man and a woman in the process of receiving EPO via an injection.

The German television channel claims to have documents which prove collaboration between the two bodies.

An anonymous doctor admitted to treating eight runners in the documentary, adding that "no-one dopes directly before competitions, here they're using EPO while training."

Athletics Kenya (AK) chiefs reacted saying all athletes were duly informed about the rules and warned any individual would be banned for life from the national team for doping.

According to ZDF there are cases of corruption between AK and the country's Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).

A former ADAK employee said "they hide results from certain athletes, so that the runners can't get suspended."

"AK and ADAK work hand in hand and win money with it. Athletes or their manages must pay for that," they added.