Kenyan sprinter Mark Otieno has been barred from competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after testing positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition test at the Tokyo Olympic Games, Team Kenya has however appealed the decision.
A sample taken on Wednesday revealed that Otieno had anabolic androgenic steroid detected.
Otieno in defence said he had taken diclofenac, food supplements and a cramps blocker.
Team Kenya Chief de Mission Waithaka Kioni confirmed the development, which leaves only Ferdinand Omanyala as the only Kenyan in the 100m heats.
Otieno qualified for the Olympics after clocking 10.05 behind his counterpart Ferdinand Omanyala.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage has confirmed receiving the official report from the analytical samples taken from Mark Otieno.
The Principal Secretary in the ministry Joe Okudo says in a statement that the ministry is awaiting for the conclusion of the appeal tabled by the athlete.
“The Ministry is still waiting for the conclusion of an appeal filed by the athlete and underscores the Government’s commitment in the fight against doping.
The relevant measures in line with the Anti Doping Agency of Kenya, Act and the World Anti Doping Agency Code and attendant Regulations will be taken once the due process has been finalized. The athlete has been provisionally suspended from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games by the organizers.”
“To ensure compliance with the World Anti Doping Agency Code, the Government remains firm in dealing with doping through regular education programmes for athletes and active support to the Anti Doping Agency of Kenya’s initiatives,” Okudo said.
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