Wilfred Bungei during his hey days. Bungei agreed with AK’s president Isaiah Kiplagat’s earlier on sentiments that most Kenyan athletes are uneducated.
Athletics Kenya (AK) has received support on educating athletes on doping and banning offenders and their entire management team, from former athlete Wilfred Bungei on Tuesday.
Speaking exclusively to ghetto radio in Nairobi, the now retired Bungei agreed with AK’s president Isaiah Kiplagat’s earlier on sentiments that, “ most of our athletes are uneducated. Previously we never even used supplements which are legal, leave alone banned substances. With the introduction of more foreign coaches, agents and managers, the money factor has worsened this situation, “said Bungei.
The 800 m Beijing Olympics gold medalist in 2008 added that, “ with proper education which I think is the responsibility of the athlete first and foremost, such incidences will be curbed as no one will want to be taken advantage of unless you are a criminal.”
Isaiah Kiplagat had earlier on complained that 90% of Kenyan athletics stake holders had no idea of what doping was. Bungei however thinks that the new set of rules set for March 2015 should have been in place way before tragedy struck.
“The registration of all elite athletes and their management team is a brilliant idea, but why wait until now? We should have put these measures into place and the laws be strictly adhered to,” Bungei wondered.
Athletics Kenya will also require registration of all elite athletes by March 2015. AK will also need to know all agents, coaches, physicians and the entire management team of an athlete. “In case any athletics laws are breached, we will hold the team accountable. If an agent or coach will have two or more athletes found guilty, then he or she will have their license revoked and banned,” Kiplagat had earlier on said.
Author: Shadrack Andenga Odinga