By AFP More by this AuthorBy NATION AFRICA More by this AuthorKenya's 10 kilometres road race world record holder Rhonex Kipruto became the latest Kenyan athlete to be suspended for a doping offence on Wednesday by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Kipruto set the 10km record of 26 minutes 24 seconds in Valencia in 2020 -- he finished a disappointing ninth in the 10,000m at the Olympics in 2021. Close on 70 Kenyan athletes -- mainly distance runners -- have been banned in the last five years for drugs offences in a crisis that has tarnished the East African track and field powerhouse. AdvertisementRead (from the Archives): New doping scandal mires Kenyan athleticsThe AIU also said in April that Kenyan athletes were being assisted in covering up doping offences by a "medically savvy operation". In January, ADAK published a list of 20 sportsmen and women they had provisionally suspended for doping rules violation.

Source: Daily Nation May 18, 2023 21:48 UTC