NAIROBI : World Athletics President Sebastian Coe on Thursday praised Kenya's commitment to addressing doping after several positive tests for banned substances.
The middle and long-distance running powerhouse avoided a ban in November despite an increasing number of its athletes being suspended for positive tests.
Kenya's government said at the time it would supply $5 million a year over the next five years to aid anti-doping efforts, including more tests, investigations and education.
During a visit to Kenya, Coe contrasted the approach of the country's sports authorities with that in Russia, which he said involved state-supervised cover-ups. "There is no suggestion that that is the case in Kenya; in fact, quite the reverse," Coe said during a news conference alongside Kenya's sports minister. "The fact that all these (Kenyan) agencies are in alignment and prepared to work alongside World Athletics and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is a very, very important statement," he said, while cautioning that Kenya faced a "long journey" to root out doping.