WADA grants Kenya reprieve from doping sanctions, citing 'progress'

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Friday that Kenya had made "significant and demonstrable progress" toward cleaning up its systems, delaying a threatened non-compliance order.

The Montreal-based WADA said last month that the Kenyan branch was not meeting its standards and gave it until Friday to address concerns.

Kenya's President William Ruto said Thursday the country would do "whatever it takes" to clean up the national anti-doping body (ADAK), seeking to avoid penalties that could have barred its athletes from competing under the Kenyan flag.

WADA said that given progress made on non-compliance issues, the threatened consequences "will not apply" on Friday's deadline.

Kenya's case has been referred back to WADA's compliance department, which will take a fresh look at ADAK's performance and provide subsequent updates.

Following numerous scandals, Kenya has invested millions to tackle doping problems.

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But the government last year cut funding for its anti-doping agency by nearly half, following protests over the national budget.

Many Kenyans see running as a way to escape poverty, and that desperation continues to drive some to cheat.

At least 140 of its athletes have been suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit since 2017 — the most of any nation.

Most are long-distance runners, including 2016 Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong and current marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich.

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