These are uncertain times for athletics, with the spectre of systemic doping in countries like Russia, Kenya etc threatening to discredit the entire sport. As many as 43 Kenyan runners have been banned for doping since 2012, even as it its arch-rival in distance running, Ethiopia, has managed to largely steer clear of the scourge.


Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele runs near India Gate in New Delhi on Friday. Pic/PTI

'Only few in Ethiopia'
Ethiopian distance-running legend Kenenisa Bekele credits this difference between the two African neighbours to athletes being better informed by the Ethiopian Athletic Federation (EAF). “In Ethiopia, we've had just a few cases of doping. I'm sure even those involved in those stray cases are athletes, who don't know how to protect themselves from different medicines which could be considered as doping.