Beijing, Aug 26 (IANS) Two Kenyan female athletes competing at the ongoing athletics World Championships were hit with a provisional suspension following positive samples provided ahead of the competitions, the world governing body of the sport announced here on Wednesday.
“Two Kenyan athletes, Koki Manunga and Joyce Zakary, have accepted provisional suspensions following positive samples provided in Beijing on the 20th and 21st of August respectively,” said a statement released by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), reports Xinhua.
Joyce Zakary, 29, finished second in Monday’s women’s 400 metre third heat in 50.71 seconds which could be a new national record if the result was recognized. Koki Manunga, 21, was ousted in the 400m hurdles heat as she finished sixth in 58.96.
“These targeted tests were conducted by the IAAF at the athletes’ hotels during the pre-competition phase. The IAAF will not discuss the details of the cases as they progress through the results management process,” the statement said.
“The IAAF Rules dictate that the IAAF is only able to make a public disclosure once this provisional suspension is in place,” it added.