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Kenya names London lineup after meeting anti-doping deadline
Kipyegon Bett of Kenya celebrates. PHOTO BY REUTERS/Aly Song
By Isaack Omulo
28/07/2017
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya announced the final list of competitors heading to next month's world athletics championships in London, with double Olympic 800 metres gold medallist and world champion David Rudisha flying the flag.
The announcement came after Kenya failed to meet two deadlines to submit anti-doping materials, under a strict new testing regime, because some athletes were racing in the Diamond League circuit.
They were given a final deadline of Saturday, according to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya.
"We are happy to announce that all the doping procedures have been completed today and we are ready to depart for London on Tuesday," Jackson Tuwei, Athletics Kenya chairman, told reporters.
Kenya's reputation for middle and long distance running has been tarnished by failed doping tests among its elite athletes, including former three-times Boston and Chicago marathon winner, Rita Jeptoo, and Jemimah Sumgong, the first Kenyan female to win an Olympics marathon gold medal.
The International Association of Athletics Federations has demanded that each Kenyan athlete must submit to three urine tests and one blood test.
Middle-distance runners Ferguson Rotich, Kipyegon Bett and Emmanuel Korir will be heading to London but Michael Saruni will not.
"Technical officials have advised us that his form is wanting," Tuwei said.
Another to miss the trip is Nicholas Bett, the defending 400 metre hurdles champion who was ruled out due to injury.
(Editing by George Obulutsa and Robin Pomeroy)
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