Skip to main content

Kenya won’t be banned from Olympics despite doping concerns

WADA announced Thursday that Kenya had violated world anti-doping rules, putting the country’s ability to compete in the upcoming Olympics in question.
  • Author:
  • Publish date:

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

The Kenya track and field team will not be banned from competing in the 2016 Olympics despite the inquiry into the country’s anti-doping program, the IAAF said on Friday, according to the Associated Press.

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s compliance review committee announced Thursday that Kenya had violated world anti-doping rules, putting the country’s ability to compete in the upcoming Olympics in question.

The IAAF put those questions to rest on Friday, ruling that Kenyan athletes will be able to compete through the end of the year, in spite of the suspension of Kenya’s drug-testing agency.

The International Olympic Committee could still block Kenya from competing in the Games in Rio de Janeiro, but that action is considered unlikely. The IOC will discuss the situation in Kenya at an executive board meeting next month.