World Athletics Investigates Kenyan Runners Over Alleged Age Fraud

Just over two years ago, Kenya, home to legends like Eliud Kipchoge and many other champions, faced a major crisis when the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) considered suspending all its athletes due to widespread doping violations.

In just one year, Kenyan athletes accounted for 40% of positive doping cases globally. However, intervention from the Kenyan government helped prevent a blanket suspension, with authorities stepping in to curb what had become a troubling trend across the nation.

Now, a new controversy has emerged, this time centered on age falsification among Kenyan athletes.

Investigations focus on last year’s World Athletics U20 Championships held in Lima, Peru, where multiple athletes, including some Olympians, allegedly provided false documentation to appear younger than they actually were.

If confirmed, this scandal could have even more serious implications than doping.

While doping is an ethical violation primarily involving individual athletes, age falsification suggests a systemic issue involving multiple parties at different levels of the sport.

The investigation is currently led by Athletics Kenya (AK), whose Director of Youth Development, Barnaba Korir, revealed that "around thirty cases have been identified, implicating not just athletes but also parents, coaches, and teachers who provided credible leads and disturbing revelations."

During the U20 World Championships, World Athletics had implemented strict regulations requiring all athletes to register by June 30, 2024, with passport applications submitted by July 7.

However, subsequent investigations found that numerous birth certificates and passports had been altered to make athletes appear younger. In response, AK has been working with immigration officials and the civil registry to verify the authenticity of these documents.

“Before passports are issued, they should always receive authorization from the civil registry,” explained Korir. “In many of these cases, that process was bypassed, leading to document falsification.”

To uncover the truth, AK has begun reaching out to hospitals where athletes were born to cross-check birth certificates. Several young athletes have since admitted that they were pressured into falsifying their ages by parents, coaches, or teachers.

As the investigation nears its conclusion, all eyes are on AIU and World Athletics for their final ruling. With major international competitions on the horizon, both Kenya and the implicated athletes face serious repercussions.

"This is a tough battle," said AK President Jack Tuwei. "But just as we have tackled doping, we will rise to the challenge and protect the integrity of Kenyan athletics on the world stage."