NAIROBI: Some of Kenya’s newly crowned track and field world champions returned home on Tuesday and were ferried to a celebratory breakfast in a convoy of limousines bearing the logo “Hotbed of Champions”.

Javelin gold medallist Julius Yego, 400-metre hurdles champion Nicholas Bett and steeplechase winner Ezekiel Kemboi were among those met at an airport in Nairobi by Deputy President William Ruto, who danced with them on a red carpet.

They will also meet with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, Ruto said.

Kenya surprisingly topped the medal table at the worlds in Beijing ahead of Jamaica and the US after winning seven golds and 16 medals overall.

Middle-distance champions David Rudisha and Asbel Kiprop didn’t return home, instead travelling to Europe for the continuation of the Diamond League series.

But while the East African nation celebrates, Kenya’s track federation head has announced that investigations are underway into the failed doping tests of two team members, who were sent home early from the championships.

Joyce Zakary, a 400-metre runner, and hurdler Koki Manunga tested positive for banned substances in Beijing, further denting Kenya’s reputation with the country already the subject of allegations of widespread doping and ineffective controls.

On Monday, Athletics Kenya president Isaiah Kiplagat said investigations were underway in Kenya after Zakary and Manunga were provisionally suspended by the IAAF for failing the targeted doping tests performed at their hotel just before the competition.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2015

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