Kenya arrests three Olympics officials
Three top members of Kenya's Olympics committee have been arrested following mismanagement in the lead-up to the Rio Games. Photo: Getty
Kenya has arrested three top members of its Olympic committee, a witness says, after mismanagement nearly derailed the country’s participation in the Rio Games.
The east African nation notched its biggest-ever medal haul in Brazil, but doping and organisational challenges plagued its preparations.
Chef de mission Stephen Arap Soi and assistant secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) James Chacha were taken to a police station in Nairobi upon arrival from the Olympics on Friday, alongside the body’s secretary general, Francis K Paul, the witness said.
Another official, Athletics Kenya chief executive Susan Kamau said she was also questioned by police but shortly released.
With six golds, as many silvers and one bronze medal, Kenya finished second only to the US in the athletics table.
But its athletics pedigree has been tainted with up to 40 runners failing doping tests in the past four years.
Its struggle to convince authorities it was taking the issue seriously threatened its participation in Rio.
In April, Kenya’s president signed into law a bill criminalising doping, as demanded by the World Anti-Doping Agency, to avoid a Rio ban and the government has promised a tighter rein in the future.
Kenya’s David Lekuta Rudisha celebrates after winning the men’s 800 metres. Photo: AAP
At the Games, Kenya’s Olympic committee sent home a sprinting coach after he was accused of posing as an athlete to doping testers.
The coach said he had borrowed an accreditation pass to seek a meal in the athletes village.
Kenya’s athletics manager was also sent home from the Olympics and is being detained while police investigate allegations that he had warned athletes before the Games about drugs tests in return for cash.
He denies any wrongdoing.
The Kenyan government had warned of measures against officials accused of mismanaging preparations before the competition’s conclusion.
Sports Minister Hassan Wario said he had disbanded NOC-K and set up a committee to probe mismanagement, and it will report its findings by September 30.
