IOC president praises Athletics Kenya for the good performance in Paris

The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach has praised the Kenyan athletes for the great performance at the Paris Olympics, where Kenya scooped a massive eleven medals to top the African Continent and second to United States in athletics in the World.

The IOC head who is on an official three day visit to Kenya was speaking during the Kenyan Federations presidents meeting at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi.

The president made this remarks after the Athletics Kenya secretary General, Susan Kamau gave an overwhelming gratitude to IOC through the National Olympic Committee – Kenya for standing with them during the preparations and team selection to Paris.

“Our athletes have benefited so much from support we have received from NOC-K and IOC and we want to thank NOC-K for standing with Athletics Kenya with the full support that you gave us to be able to perform so well and bring good results that made us to be number one in Africa, “said Kamau.

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The IOC chief could not hide his joy for Kenya for the good performance that they displayed in Paris.

“Congratulations for the eleven medals and the huge support from NOC and IOC,” said Bach.

The IOC head that was received at the airport by his host Dr. Paul Tergat, the NOC-K president, also touched on the issue of doping that had been raised by AK Secretary General.

“We are faced with two new challenges that is Doping and GBV and as Athletics Kenya we will appreciate if IOC through NOC-K can also fund our program and education because we luck enough resources,” she said.

While responding to the AK Secretary General, the IOC president said that Kenya needs robust funding which will help in fighting the doping menace that will include testing and education among upcoming Kenyan athletes.

He said that he is going to meet President William Ruto tomorrow morning (Friday) and ask him to increase the funding contribution for Kenya for the Anti-doping Agency (ADAK) as one of his agenda.

“I will be meeting President Ruto and my agenda is to ask him increase the funding contribution to the anti-doping fight because there is interest in Kenya. We would like all over the world to celebrate the achievements of Kenyan athletes in any sport without having to make reference towards outstanding issues of doping and the ever upcoming cases,” said Bach.

The colorful event was also graced by the Association of Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) President Mustapha Beraf and his wife Claudia Bach.