Julius Yego has voiced his opinion following the directive by Athletics Integrity Unit requiring athletes coming from Category ‘A’ countries to undergo three tests before Paris Olympics.
The Athletics Integrity Unit on Wednesday, May 1, announced strict measures that will look to ensure fair competition and upholding the integrity of the sport ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
For Category ‘A’ federations, Kenya being included, the AIU mandates that all athletes aspiring to compete at the Olympics undergo a minimum of three out-of-competition tests. It was further noted that athletes must complete their first out-of-competition test at least 12 weeks before the opening ceremony of the Olympics on July 26.
The AIU also explained that failure to adhere to this deadline will result in disqualification from the Games with the athletes must undergo all three out-of-competition tests by July 4, 2024, with each test scheduled three weeks apart.
World 2015 javelin champion Julius Yego has shared his opinion concerning the move by AIU as he sympathised with athletes who would like to compete at the Olympic Games but are yet to get the message. In a lengthy post on his Facebook page, Yego also admitted that things are getting tougher for the athletes coming from countries under Category A.
“It’s getting tougher and stricter for us athletes! For this #ParisOlympics2024 if you have not had a test until now you ONLY have tomorrow and Wednesday which is the last day allowed for 1st test!
“Check your whereabouts compliance now and make your you respect the 60 min time slot you indicated in the whereabouts and pray the DCO comes in these last days
“I hope and pray for those who haven’t had that they get the test before the days elapse for the Olympic hopefuls otherwise if they don’t show up and u don’t have any test as of now, forget the #ParisOlympics2024,” Yego said.
Meanwhile, these tests will be administered by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and documented in the Anti-Doping Administration Management System (ADAMS).
