Two agents suspended by Athletics Kenya in doping probe

The suspension of Rosa & Associati, run by Italian Gabriele Rosa, and Volare Sports, run by Dutchman Gerard van de Veen, is a blow to several well-known athletes who are managed by the agencies.

"AK has decided to suspend two agents for the time being so that investigations can be carried out and when the results are out we will decide whether they come back or not," AK President Isaiah Kiplagat told a news conference, naming the two agencies.

"This suspension ... will be for a period of six months," he said, adding: "There have been a lot of reports relating to doping in Kenya and a lot of fingers pointed at people, agents, doctors and pharmacists. We know it's an intricate issue and critical matter and we want to deal with it."

Van de Veen told Reuters he would have no comment until he had seen details about what was announced. Officials at Rosa & Associati could not immediately be reached.

Kenyan officials have pointed at foreign agents for leading athletes into using performance-enhancing drugs. But Kenyan authorities have been accused of not taking adequate measures to deal with doping cases.

Rita Jeptoo, three times winner of the Boston marathon and twice winner of the Chicago race, failed drugs tests last year. Athletics Kenya handed her a two-year ban. She is managed by Rosa & Associati.

Kiplagat said Athletics Kenya would work with the international athletics body, the IAAF, and would meet promoters of the Diamond League to agree on how to manage athletes handled by the two agencies to ensure they did not miss competitions.

Olympic and double world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, who has previously called for tough action against doping, said the decision could ruin the season for him and others. He is managed by Rosa.

"The issue of doping has now affected even those of us at the top who are clean and train hard to win," he said. "Our managers give us space to focus on training and looking for another at this stage of the season will not be easy."

Kiplagat also said he would be stepping aside from his post at Athletic Kenya from May 1 to campaign for a seat in the IAAF.