Team Kenya is prepared for the upcoming Olympics in Brazil according to government spokesman Eric Kiraithe.
With a total of 85 sportsmen and women chosen to represent the country in the iconic event that’s meant to commence on the 5th of August.
The team includes 25 rugby players, 53 track and field athletes, 2 boxers, 1 judo fighter, 1 archer, 2 swimmers and 1 weightlifter.
“This is the largest team we have ever had, we are expecting fantastic performances from them and looking forward to winning more gold medals than we did in London 2012 games,” said the government spokesperson during a press briefing held in Nairobi on Thursday.
Earlier on, a number of obstacles had threatened to hinder participation in the Olympic games with the most publicized one being doping allegations, and according to Kiraithe it is a credit to the country that the anti-doping agency of Kenya (ADAK) was set in accordance with regulations set out by the world anti doping agency agency (WADA).
Furthermore, the amended Anti-Doping law approved by WADAalso played its part in ensuring no sanctions were taken against Kenya.
Currently, the Olympic team has gone through more than 330 tests handled by Anti-doping Agency of Kenya which are very rigorous and conform to international standards. The tests are ongoing and so far no positive results have been recorded.
The government spokesman insisted that they will not entertain any doping incidences and athletes found guilty of the offense will face direct consequences.
“As a government we are committed to ensure our athletes compete clean and win clean, if any sportsperson is found in violation of doping regulations they will face the full force of the law and it goes without saying they will be immediately disqualified,” said Kiraithe.
At the moment some of the Olympic team members have already left for Rio De Janeiro and are training hard in preparation for the games after the President’s official flagging off at state house some days ago.