Foreign athletes and coaches "planning to train and work in distance-running epicentre Kenya could soon face a wealth of restrictions as authorities try to stop the scourge of doping," according to the AFP. Athletics Kenya Chair Isaiah Kiplagat and Kenya Sports Minister Hassan Wario said claims that "Kenya's running prowess was down to performance-enhancing drugs was damaging a major source of national pride and income." Wario said, "It will destroy one of the most important institutions in the country." Wario admitted that "claims that Kenyans were cheating had become 'rampant.'" The officials said that they were "drawing up procedures to keep a closer eye on agents, coaches and athletes who visit Kenya to look for local talent or profit from the famed running culture, ideal climate and altitude training facilities." Between January 2012 and 2013, 13 Kenyan athletes -- "none of them big stars" -- tested positive for banned substances, and "last year the country was pushed to the top" of the int'l athletics federation's (IAAF) list of most-tested nations (AFP, 10/23).
