UK ATHLETICS says a decision will be made over whether to take its altitude and endurance performance programme back to Iten, Kenya, once the Olympics and Paralympics are over after serious allegations of doping were made against unnamed British athletes.
Iten is a popular high altitude training spot for countless endurance runners
MARK SHEARMAN
The Sunday Times and German broadcaster ARD made a wide range of accusations of actions around the High Altitude Training Centre in western Kenya including allegations made by Kenyan doctors that they helped dope three British runners, and UK Anti-Doping has since sent two investigators to Kenya to pursue the claims made.
“We take any allegations of doping seriously and will as always cooperate fully with any investigation undertaken by UKAD or other anti-doping organisations,” a UKA statement read in part.
“As with all performance work, our altitude and endurance programmes are subject to review on an annual basis, with more extensive reviews taking place at the end of each Olympic and Paralympic cycle. Our next scheduled trip to Iten would not be until the new year, which will enable us to make a fully informed decision about whether to continue at this location in future.”