NOCK President Tergat decries doping upsurge as Athletes Forum gets underway in Nairobi

National Olympics Committee of Kenya President Paul Tergat has unveiled a two-day Athletes Forum aimed at addressing facing athletes as they prepare themselves for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Speaking at Forum held at Sportview Hotel, Nairobi, Tergat revealed that preparations are well underway for next year's Olympics.

"We as the National Olympics Committee, it is a very critical stage for us now, Olympics being only 250 days away, we don't drop off.

"In the next few days, we will be here (Athletes Forum) and our main goal is that we need the voice of athletes and sports men and women to be heard," said Tergat.

The forum featured Questions and Answers (Q&A) sessions that allowed athletes to highlight issues affecting their preparations for the competitions with lack of affordable training facilities, lack of kits and trouble getting Visas being the most underlined.

While addressing their concerns, Tergat assured them of the committee’s commitment to collaborate with the ministry of sports and the different federations to come up with practical solutions.

"I understand the frustrations that you are going through about the stadiums. There is something which is going on and being discussed with the ministry and Athletics Kenya.

"These are national assets that need to be utilized by our sports men and women. It is unacceptable the facility fees that they have to pay, we are working on it," assured the President.

In an attempt to dissuade them from the allure of doping, the former long-distance runner further called on athletes to compete fairly when they represent Kenya in competitions as a way of underscoring the country decorated athletics pedigree.

"From the presidency all the way to the ministry we are working to make sure we have squads that are free of doping. We have strict procedures in place by ADAK which is the body handling the same.

"And we have always told our athletes even in this forum that we are having to compete fair and win cleanly in all sports of our nation," said Tergat.

At the same time, NOC-K Secretary General Francis Mutuku has announced that athletes' registration for the Paris 2024 Olympics will commence on the 27th of November.

"The most critical step starts on the 27th of November with the official accreditation of athletes and officials who will be going to the Paris 2024 Olympics," announced Mutuku.

The forum is set to run till Wednesday, November 22 and will culminate with a presentation of certificates to attending athletes.

So far Kenya's Rugby Sevens team Shujaa and Women’s Volleyball team Malkia Strikers have booked their slots for next year's global showpiece.