Banned Kenyan Athlete Reprimanded By Athletics Integrity Unit

By Samuel Ouma

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Friday reprimanded a Kenyan athlete for taking online courses despite serving a ban for anti-doping violations.

In a statement, AIU said that Joel Maina Mwangi completed the World Athletics Gender Leadership Course in April and Technical Officials Education and Certification System Level 1 during his ineligibility period.

When asked to explain his action, Mwangi apologised, saying he participated in the courses to better himself.

He said he did not realise the Courses would be prohibited because they were being organised by World Athletics online and did not involve attendance from him in person.

However, the unit informed the athlete that he is only authorised to participate in the anti-doping education or rehabilitation programmes.

“The Athlete wrote to explain that he was interested in learning and had Been seeking to better himself by completing certain education programmes whilst he was unable to compete in the sport,” said AIU.

The AIU said that after Mwangi pleaded guilty, it considered a reprimand, saying it would not extend his band.

“Taking into consideration the Athlete’s degree of Fault and the overall circumstances of the case, including the fact that the Athlete admitted the breach immediately upon notification, the AIU considered that a reprimand and no additional period of Ineligibility to be the appropriate Consequences for the Athlete’s violation,” added AIU.

The 38-year-old athlete was banned for three years in June 2022 for an anti-doping rule violation.