NAIROBI, Kenya, March 5, 2025 – World Athletics (WA) president Seb Coe has applauded Kenya for the huge strides made in the fight against doping.
Coe believes the vice will soon become history in Kenyan athletics if stakeholders continue on the path they have been on.
“I am not sure whether I like saying if we are winning or not. I think we are moving in the right direction. I believe in the future we will have a drug-free sports. We now have processes in place such as engagement with AIU. This is not a war that is going to be won overnight,” the president said.
The president added that increased funding from the government, resulting in heightened anti-doping tests, are bearing fruit by unearthing more positive cases.
“Doping is a global challenge which we always want to be top of. It was always expected that with increased funding and extra testing the numbers would go up. In fact I would be worried if there was more testing and the numbers were still low,” he said.
Coe also spoke on gender-based violence (GBV), which has become a thorn in the Kenyan flesh that is athletics.
He reiterated the global governing body’s commitment to helping Kenya pull out the ‘thorn’.
“Although GBV is not a problem deeply rooted in sports, I believe we are stronger when we work together. I pledged on behalf of WA that we await with interest any government proposal put forward,” Coe said.
He added: “We will make available some of the assets at WA including elearning to help tackle this challenge.”
A key positive that the world boss identified was gallant efforts by Athletics Kenya (AK) in combating climate change by embracing sustainable practices.
“WA was awarded the BBC award last year for their efforts on climate challenge and this is largely due to the work done by AK to combat this challenge,” the president pointed out.
Coe was speaking at the Riadha House on Wednesday evening during a visit to AK’s headquarters.
The Briton was in the country for a brief tour during which he also met Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya at the ministry’s headquarters in Talanta Plaza.
Speaking during the visit at Riadha House, AK president Lt Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei applauded Coe for the immense contribution to the development of Kenyan athletics during his tenure.
“Thank you to seb coe for what he has done yo Kenya. During his tenure we have managed to host the world under 18 Championships in 2017 and in 2021 we hosted world under 20. We’ve really had our share of achievements while he has been there at the top and we are really thankful. One other achievement I would not want to miss is I became vice-president of WA under his tenure,” he said.
Lt Gen (Rtd) Tuwei further thanked the president for making Kenya his second home and expressed his delight at hosting him for the umpteenth time.
“We are very grateful he has has a chance to visit us here again. He was here exactly two and half years ago. Kenya is his second home; I know he has been here severally even on vacation,” Lt Gen (Rtd) Tuwei said.
Coe is on his final days as the WA honcho with the accomplished Olympian having thrown his hat in the ring for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
