AIU forced to apologise after erroneously accusing Kenya sprinter of tampering

Sprinter Mark Otieno Odhiambo’s doping offense remains the presence / use of a prohibited substance, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has confirmed.

The World Athletics integrity body found themselves with egg on their face after erroneously accusing the Kenyan sprinter for tampering in their latest update on cases in their jurisdiction.

Another Kenyan marathoner suspended for doping, to miss Commonwealth Games

In a release dated 1 September 2022, AIU confirmed the error. “Information posted recently on the Athletics Integrity Unit’s website and its Twitter account erroneously stated that Mark Otieno Odhiambo was charged with Tampering.

The AIU apologises for this error and confirms that Mr Odhiambo’s case only concerns the Presence / Use of a Prohibited Substance. That case is currently before the Disciplinary Tribunal and no further comment will be made whilst the matter is pending,” read AIU’s statement on the matter.

The information was picked up and distributed by both local and international media prompting the sprinter to issue a statement of his own calling on the media to do due diligence especially on matters doping before reporting on the same.

Otieno failed two doping test one from a urine sample taken two days before his debut at the Olympic Games in Tokyo where Otieno tested positive for an anabolic androgenic steroid and was subsequently barred from stepping on the tartan for the 100m heats.

The second sample had been taken before his trip to Tokyo and tested in South Africa returning an adverse finding too.