Kericho: Athletics Kenya (AK) Kericho County branch officials have issued a stern warning to athletes against engaging in age cheating, emphasizing that such conduct jeopardizes the integrity of their careers and tarnishes Kenya's reputation on the global athletics stage.
According to Kenya News Agency, Gabriel Kiptanui, AK First Vice Chairman Kericho, highlighted the issue during an interview at a training session with upcoming athletes at Kericho Teachers Training College grounds. Kiptanui explained that age cheating involves athletes falsifying their birth credentials to gain an unfair advantage, which undermines the integrity of competitions and discourages honest participation.
Kiptanui expressed concern that such deceitful practices could lead to credibility issues and attract scrutiny from the International Body of World Athletics. He warned that this could compromise the achievements of legendary Kenyan athletes like the late Wilson Kiprugut and retired Kipchoge Keino, who earned global recognition through hard work and honesty.
He urged parents, coaches, and athletes to prioritize ethics and uphold age verification standards to foster an environment where integrity prevails. With his 24 years of experience as an athletics coach, Kiptanui stressed the need for strict measures against age cheating, suggesting legal consequences for those found guilty, especially as Kenya continues to battle doping issues.
Kiptanui advised aspiring athletes to adhere to the sport's rules and follow their coaches' guidance to succeed. He encouraged patience, promising that dedication and honesty would lead to victories and respect in their careers.
Kiptanui has coached prominent athletes, including long-distance runner and 2015 steeplechase world champion Stella Chelangat, 2019 World U20 800-meter silver medalist Alex Kipngetich Ngeno, and other notable champions who have excelled in international competitions.
This cautionary stance comes in light of AK's announcement of a crackdown on age cheating last month, following news of 30 athletes being flagged by World Athletics for potential violations. Currently, Kenya remains on the World Anti-Doping Agency's Category A compliance watch list since 2016, with nearly 100 athletes penalized for doping offenses.