Kenyan sprinter Mark Otieno has provisionally been suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit(AIU)for allegedly violating anti-doping rules.
AIU has also suspended three more athletes following tests conducted by the International Testing Agency (ITA) during the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics
The 28-year-old Otieno was withdrawn from the Olympics team two hours to the men’s 100m heats with AIU claiming that the samples collected from the athlete tested positive for the prohibited substance Methasterone, ranked among the Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS).
AIU also revealed they have been notified of another Adverse Analytical Finding on another sample collected from Otieno on June 24 by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
“The determination of consequences for the ADAK sample will also follow the conclusion of the ITA proceedings against Odhiambo,” a statement from AIU said.
Other athletes who are facing AIU disciplinary action are; 1500m athlete Sadik Mikhou of Bahrain, Benik Abramyan (shot put) of Georgia and Chijindu Ujah of Great Britain.
The former national 100m champion pleaded his innocence when the news came out.
“My integrity as an athlete and an individual is paramount to me, and I hold in great honor the opportunity I have been given to represent my country on this global stage, as I have done many times in the past. As such, I would never engage in any activity that would jeopardise me or my team mates.” He said after being kicked out of the Tokyo games.