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New doping scandal for Kenya

Timothy JonesAugust 7, 2016

Media have alleged that the manager of Kenya's Olympic athletics team wanted bribes to protect cheating athletes. He has reportedly been recalled from the Rio Games to face an investigation.

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Dopingkontrolle Rio 2016
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/S. Kahnert

Kenya's sporting reputation was dealt another potential blow on Sunday after a media investigation alleged that the manager of the Kenyan Olympic track and field team called for bribes to warn athletes about doping tests.

The German television station ARD and the British "Sunday Times" newspaper have released a video claiming to show Michael Rotich demanding 10,000 pounds (11,800 euros) to give advance warnings of drugs tests to a purported British coach in a sting.

ARD journalist Hajo Seppelt tweeted a statement from Athletics Kenya in which the organization said it had recalled Rotich from the Rio Olympics to investigate the case, adding that the matter might be passed on to Kenyan police.

The "Sunday Times" said in its online edition that Rotich had been expected to lead the Kenyan team at Friday's Olympics opening ceremony, but that he did not appear in the end owing to the accusations.

Deutschland Leipzig Hajo Seppelt erhält Medienpreis
Seppelt specializes in doping investigationsImage: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Wolf

The allegations have emerged after several Kenyan athletes failed doping tests in recent months.

Kenya has only this week been taken of the non-compliant list of the World Anti-Doping Agency after the government passed anti-doping legislation.