A medium-shot portrait captures a man in a taupe-brown suit jacket over a crisp white collared shirt, paired with a patterned gold tie, seated inside a warmly lit room. He has a short, neatly styled light brown hair and. Image accompanying BBC Sport Athletics’ report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Wada president Witold Banka emphasized Kenya's need to be a 'clean' sports environment to retain credibility. He highlighted rising positive tests as a sign the system is working. Banka called for law enforcement support to target criminals supplying athletes.
Banka's comments came after a three-day visit to Nairobi, where he met with President William Ruto and sports officials. He stressed the importance of Kenya's anti-doping efforts ahead of hosting the 2029 World Championships. He noted Kenya's commitment to zero tolerance but stressed results over promises. Read more racing coverage.
Kenya has faced scrutiny due to over 140 athletes suspended since 2017. Banka highlighted the need for a strong independent anti-doping agency and sufficient government support. He also pointed out the global nature of doping, urging a comprehensive approach to tackle the issue. Related: British Masters Set World Records in Field Events.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from BBC Sport Athletics. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
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Questions about this report
What should runners know about Kenya's Doping Issue Under Scrutiny Ahead of 2029 World Championships?
Wada president Witold Banka urges Kenya to demonstrate a clean sports environment. Wada president Witold Banka emphasized Kenya's need to be a 'clean' sports environment to retain credibility. He highlighted rising positive tests as a sign the system is working. Banka called for law enforcement support to target criminals supplying athletes.
When did Runner World publish this racing brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 7, 2026. The underlying BBC Sport Athletics report was dated October 7, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from BBC Sport Athletics. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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