The IAAF suspension revolving door continues to turn, as it was announced Monday by the governing body’s ethics commission that three top Kenyan officials have been provisionally suspended for six months. The announcement follows the investigation on Athletics Kenya for anti-doping violations and improper use of Nike funds. 

 

Athletics Kenya President Isaiah Kiplagat, AK Vice President David Okeyo, and former AK treasurer Joseph Kinyua were hit with the 180-day suspension on Monday, which comes less than a week after a meeting between IOC president Thomas Bach, IAAF head Seb Coe, and Kenyan National Olympic Committee President Kipchoge Keino concluded that they should step aside while investigations into the alleged corruption ensued.

 

The trio of Kiplagat, Okeyo, and Kinyua have been accused of pocketing $700,000 of improper funds from national team sponsor Nike, an allegation that the sportswear giant has vehemently denied. 

 

In addition, the investigation centers on alleged doping cover-ups by the Kenyan officials, who have been accused of accepting bribes in return for lesser penalties. Kenyan coach Paul Simbolei told police earlier this month that three unnamed marathoners paid AK in exchange for a softer punishment. He alleged that the officials requested portions of race winnings from athletes lest they would expose their cheating. 

 

Frustration with AK’s activities boiled over last week, as Kenyan athletes occupied the national governing body’s headquarters to protest the reported corruption of the top officials. 

 

Doping corruption has consumed the sport throughout November ever since an independent WADA commission revealed state-sponsored doping in Russia. The IAAF has suspended the troubled nation from competition until they satisfy a list of criteria set up by the IAAF inspection team.

 

This occured after former IAAF president Lamine Diack was arrested in early November for allegedly taking bribes from the Russian Federation. 

 

On Friday, two-time World Cross Country Champion Emily Chebet of Kenya was suspended by Athletics Kenya for four years after tests revealed she was using the banned diuretic Furosemide. What is not clear yet is which performances, if any, she will lose as a result of her suspension. 

 

One thing is clear through all of these revelations— track and field’s mess is only starting to be cleaned up.