UK Anti-Doping launch probe as Kenyan doctors claim they ‘gave Brit athletes banned drugs’

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) have launched an investigation into claims by Kenyan doctors they gave British athletes performance-enhancing drugs – expressing “grave concern” over the allegations.

The medics were covertly filmed by the Sunday Times, which is investigating claims of doping in the African country.

The organisation has sent two investigators to Nairobi to assist with the probe, while Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is believed to have made arrests in connection with the claims.

In a statement reacting to the Sunday Times’ findings, UK Athletics described the paper’s allegations as “vague and unsubstantiated”.

It said: “None of the allegations as presented relating to British athletes accords with our experience.

“Nevertheless, we take any allegations of doping seriously and will as always cooperate fully with any investigation undertaken by Ukad or other anti-doping organisations.”

The footage allegedly depicts the medics admitting they received payment from British, Kenyan and other athletes to administer blood-boosting drug erythropoietin.

The doctors are believed to have provided medical notes and blood test results to show they had treated a British athlete for an injury.

Meanwhile, a third Kenyan with links to the doctors has alleged that three British sports stars were among 50 athletes he gave banned performance-enhancing drugs to.

Confusing the situation, the Sunday Times revealed that when it subsequently approached the two doctors, they refused to answer questions about the allegations they made on camera, claiming they had been encouraged to lie to “make some money”.

Speaking on the case, UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said the evidence was “of grave concern and of significant interest”.

She continued: “We have opened an investigation and are taking the necessary steps to corroborate the evidence and investigate it further…this evidence is being treated with the utmost importance and urgency.”

Kenya was found to be in breach of global anti-doping rules in May, when the World Anti-Doping Agency declared the country non-compliant with its code following a string of drugs and corruption scandals.

The new allegations come just weeks after the nation passed legislation to create a new national anti-doping agency.

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