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Fresh doping scandal likely to jeopardize Team Kenya’s participation at Rio


In Rio de Janeiro

The Kenyan delegation at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro has remained non-committal even as Team Kenya grapples with a fresh doping scandal.

The scandal is likely to jeopardize the country’s participation in the Games.

Top National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) officials have remained tight-lipped on the ejection of athletics team manager Major (rtd) Michael Rotich following allegations that he offered to protect cheating athletes in exchange for money.

Reports in British paper, Sunday Times, and German broadcaster ARD claim that Rotich was recorded on camera negotiating for payment with undercover British journalists posing as coaches.

Journalist, Hajo Seppelt, of German TV ARD also posted a tweet on Saturday quoting Athletics Kenya (AK) spokesman Evans Bosire on the decision to recall Rotich.

But while all the top Nock officials here in Rio have remained unavailable for comments, the media liason officer, Peter Angwenyi has said the issue is being looked into.

“The timing of this story is suspect, but the issue is being handled carefully with Team Kenya at heart,” Angwenyi said on Sunday.

Angwenyi also said that Rotich has not expressly lost his position in the team.

“Major Rotich will be back as the team manager. Kenya remains focused on the Games,” he said without further elaboration.

These allegations implicating Kenya are the latest that the team is facing.

Last month, the German TV aired a secretly recorded film showing some athletes admitting their involvement in doping.