Athletics Integrity Unit unveils guidelines to prevent doping bans
The latest guidelines come amid a rise in doping allegations against Kenyan athletes. On December 3, veteran runner Beatrice Jelagat Cherop was banned after testing positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a substance used to treat skin conditions.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has released a detailed report shedding light on the reasons many athletes, including Kenyans, face career-threatening bans due to doping violations.
The integrity guide, unveiled on Monday, delves into testing procedures and common pitfalls that lead athletes to breach anti-doping rules, often inadvertently.
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According to the report, a significant number of athletes neglect to consult medical professionals before using supplements, some of which are on the AIU’s prohibited list.
“As an athlete, you have the responsibility to consult with your doctor to understand what is prohibited and what is not,” the guide emphasised.
The AIU highlighted that athletes are sometimes unaware of harmful ingredients in supplements labelled as 'natural.'
This lack of awareness has led to inadvertent Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Additionally, the guide clarified that doping encompasses 11 categories of violations, including evading sample collection, failing to file whereabouts information, and tampering with the doping control process.
The latest guidelines come amid a rise in doping allegations against Kenyan athletes. On December 3, veteran runner Beatrice Jelagat Cherop was banned after testing positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a substance used to treat skin conditions but classified as a prohibited glucocorticoid by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 2014.
Cherop admitted to using a banned skin medication, sparking renewed calls for athletes to exercise due diligence.
“Even inadvertent violations can lead to severe consequences,” the AIU warned, urging athletes to remain vigilant about the substances they consume.
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