Kenyan javelin star Julius Yego has urged fellow athletes to compete clean, warning that rising doping cases are damaging Kenya’s reputation and threatening the legacy built by generations of champions.
In a passionate message addressed to athletes, Yego called on both elite and junior competitors to respect the rules of athletics and serve as positive role models for upcoming generations.
Yego recalled how watching the 2004 Athens Olympic Games inspired his love for athletics, particularly Kenya’s memorable 1-2-3 finish in the men’s 3,000-metre steeplechase, led by Ezekiel Kemboi, Brimin Kipruto and Paul Kipsiele Koech.
He said the achievements of Kenyan athletes had earned the country admiration and respect across the world, inspiring young people to dream of representing the national flag on the international stage.
However, Yego lamented that the growing number of doping cases had tarnished that reputation, with Kenyan athletes increasingly facing suspicion whenever they win competitions.
He said the situation was embarrassing and unfair to athletes who train and compete clean, warning that the country risked losing the respect it had built over decades.
Yego also invoked the legacy of athletics pioneer Kipchoge Keino and other champions who helped establish Kenya as a global athletics powerhouse, urging current athletes to protect that heritage.
“Train well and smart, compete clean and win clean,” Yego urged, reminding athletes that young competitors look up to them as role models.
He stressed that anti-doping rules were designed to protect clean athletes rather than punish them, calling on competitors to understand and respect the regulations governing the sport.
Yego further highlighted the emotional and social consequences of doping bans, saying sanctions affect not only athletes but also their families, friends and supporters who invest their trust and resources in their careers.
He said witnessing colleagues and close friends receive bans had been difficult, particularly when those athletes had previously enjoyed widespread admiration and support.
According to Yego, doping scandals can destroy years of hard work and leave supporters questioning the integrity of athletes they once celebrated.
He warned that current athletes had a responsibility to ensure that future generations would not inherit a damaged reputation or face suspicion because of the actions of others.
Despite the challenges, Yego expressed confidence that Kenya could rebuild its image by returning to the principles that defined its greatest champions.
He called on athletes to remain faithful to the rules and regulations of athletics, emphasising that genuine success should be achieved through discipline, hard work and integrity.
Yego’s message comes amid continued scrutiny of doping in Kenyan athletics, with the issue raising concerns about the country's international standing and the protection of clean competition.
He concluded with a rallying call to athletes to defend Kenya’s sporting legacy and ensure that future victories are celebrated for the talent and hard work behind them.
“Run clean, win clean.”
