Kenya's doping crisis and the challenges of admiring athletes amidst the issue

Kenyan athletes are being banned, literally, by the hundreds. The country that produces many of the world's outstanding distance performers has a huge credibility crisis. It is clear that doping is widespread, but frustratingly, despite dozens of athletes being caught and banned every month, we are no closer to identifying how what have been described as "sophisticated doping regimes" are being managed and delivered to many of the best Kenyan athletes. In this Spotlight, the second episode of the Series, Ross and Gareth talk about the extent of the problem, the challenges faced by authorities who are casting their own spotlight on Kenyan running, and the shadow that sadly looms over Kenyan medals and records.

Show notes

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• The latest AIU list of banned Kenyan runners, as at 1 June 2024. This list has since grown by about 30 names
• A year ago, Kenyan government pledged to fight the doping problem with a significant investment. The bans now may be the result, but is it the solution?
• Rhonex Kipruto is one of the biggest Kenyan names banned to date. Here is the AIU Reasoned Decision describing the ban, including the results and graphs discussed by Ross and Gareth on the show

Olympic surveys:

• Here is the survey we have created for you to rate every Olympic sport's "athleticism" and attributes
• Here is the "bracket", where you choose your favourite Olympic sport in a series of Head-to-Head battles. We are now in Round 2

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