David Rudisha worried Kenya may be banned from Olympics
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David Rudisha, the 2012 Olympic champion and world record holder at 800 meters, has expressed concern over Kenya potentially being banned from competing at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro if the World Anti-Doping Agency deems them non-compliant with their code.
“We (athletes) are training hard and it is a pity if all this will go down the drain if Kenya is banned from the sport,” Rudisha told Kenya’s Citizen news.
“We were given enough time to do all these things,” Rudisha added. “I don’t understand why these people are not treating the matter with a lot of seriousness. It’s really unfortunate because the ball was thrown to them - the government and the (sports) ministry.”
WADA has set a Tuesday deadline for Kenya to pass a new anti-doping law but it is unlikely to pass in time. Kenya’s parliament went on a monthlong recess on Thursday without passing the anti-doping law. An extension was previously granted after they missed the Feb. 11 deadline to pass the legislation and set up their new anti-doping agency.
• Turkey bans Elvan Abeylegesse two years for doping
WADA can recommend a ban from international competition that would have to be approved by the International Association of Athletics Federation, track and field's governing body.
Last fall, Russia was deemed not compliant and suspended from international competition after a WADA report uncovered evidence of systemic doping and cover-ups of positive tests by athletes. Russia missed the world indoor track and field championships in March and could miss the Olympics.
Rudisha set the world record of 1:40.91 in the 800-meter final in London and won last year's world championship.
