The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) on Wednesday said two Kenyan athletes, Koki Manunga and Joyce Zakary, have accepted provisional suspensions, following positive samples provided in Beijing, China.
IAAF said the samples were provided on August 20 and August 21 by the two athletes respectively before the commencement of the ongoing 15th World Athletics Championships on August 22.
The IAAF Rules dictate that the IAAF is only able to make a public disclosure once this provisional suspension is in place.
These targeted tests were conducted by the IAAF at the athletes’ hotels during the pre-competition phase.
The IAAF will not discuss the details of the cases as they progress through the results management process.
Zakary, 29, had competed in the 400m, while Manunga, 21, competed in the 400m hurdles.
Zakary set a national record of 50.71 seconds in the 400m heats on Monday, but she did not start in her scheduled semi-final on Tuesday.
Manunga finished sixth in her heat of the 400m hurdles after recording a time of 58.96.
“Athletics Kenya (AK) has already met with the IAAF and the athletes involved, and has begun investigating the situation which led to these results,’’ said the national governing body.
“Follow-up action will be taken in Kenya.’’
Thirteen Kenyan athletes are currently serving suspensions for doping offences.
Earlier this month, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had announced it would begin an “urgent’’ investigation into allegations of widespread doping in athletics.
Meanwhile, Team Nigeria’s Tosin Oke has advanced to the final of the men’s triple jump event.
It was, however, another sad story from Nigerian sprint queen, Blessing Okagbare, as she dropped out of the women’s 200 metres event from the heats.
Oke, whose season best is 16.98 and personal best 17.23, leapt 16.74 metres in his third attempt to place sixth in Heat A and advance to Thursday’s final.
The Nigerian, who placed 11th overall in the standings of the two heats, had a no-jump in his first attempt and 14.70 in his second attempt.
The World Athletics Championships holding at Beijing’s National Stadium began on Saturday and will end on Sunday.
