A group of Kenyan athletes "have occupied the headquarters of the sport's national governing body, stopping officials from entering." They want Athletics Kenya officials to "step down over corruption allegations" linked to a deal with Nike. AK VP David Okeyo has denied the allegations. The athletes "also blame the administrators for failing to deal with doping in the sport." The protesters say they want former runners to manage AK (BBC, 11/23). ... UK Athletics announced that the former coach of banned British sprinter Bernice Wilson, George Skafidas, "has been suspended after being charged with anti-doping rule violations." Skafidas, whose charge Wilson was handed a "four-year ban for testing positive for two anabolic steroids" in '11, has been provisionally suspended from participating in athletics. A UKA statement said, "The individual now has the opportunity to respond to the charges against him including the right to a full hearing of the case" (PA, 11/23). ... Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Monday that he had met IAAF President Sebastian Coe to discuss doping allegations against Russian athletes. Mutko said it was possible that the second part of a report by a commission from the World Anti-Doping Agency would "also single Russia out for criticism," but said Russia was "legally" ready for such an eventuality (REUTERS, 11/23).
