Major Michael Rotich suspended for 10 years due to “dishonest and corrupt” conduct during drug tests

The head coach of Kenya’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games athletics team, Major Michael Rotich, has been banned for 10 years by the IAAF ethics board.

A panel of the board found that Major Rotich “sought to undermine anti-doping controls and to obtain a personal financial benefit in doing so”, adding that his conduct had been “dishonest and corrupt”.

The IAAF ethics board case arose following allegations in a Sunday Times article entitled “Rio Olympics hit by new doping scandal” and accompanying video footage published on August 7, 2016.

An IAAF ethics board decision document reads in part: “This decision concerns allegations that the Defendant, Major Michael Rotich, agreed to provide advance notice of drug tests to athletes and/or coaches in exchange for money.

“The allegation is that he knew when doing so that this would allow athletes to flush banned substances from their systems in order to circumvent doping tests.

“It is also alleged that the Defendant suggested excuses which athletes could use to avoid being penalised for missing a drug test.”

It adds: “At all relevant times, Major Rotich was the Head of Athletics Kenya North Rift Province and he was the Head Coach of the Kenyan Athletics team for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro held from 5 – 21 August 2016.”

The IAAF ethics board decision document, which includes further details of the Sunday Times investigation, can be downloaded here.

“In January 2016, George Arbuthnott and David Collins, two undercover reporters from the Sunday Times, met Joseph Mwangi and Major Rotich in Kenya,” reads the decision document in part. “The journalists purported to be the sports manager and coach of a fictional team of British athletes. Mr Mwangi offered to sell the reporters the banned substance EPO for use by their athletes.

“The reporters met with Major Rotich on 21 January 2016, 22 January 2016 and 21 February 2016. During those meetings, which were secretly filmed, the reporters explained that they planned to dope eight British athletes with EPO and asked Major Rotich’s assistance to protect their athletes from testing.”

While the IAAF ethics board panel noted that there is no evidence that Major Rotich provided advance notice of doping tests to specific athletes, or that any payments actually changed hands, it found that he “acted corruptly and in deliberate violation of core principles of the Code (IAAF Code of Ethics).”

According to the decision document, when Major Rotich was confronted with the footage by the reporters “the (Sunday Times) article claims that he said he had gone along with the interview because he was investigating the reporters and Mr Mwangi because he wished to protect his athletes”.

Major Rotich has a right of appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Meanwhile, the Athletics Integrity Unit has announced that Bahrain’s Olympic marathon silver medallist Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO).

The AIU confirms Provisional Suspensions against Indian sprinter Gomathi Marimuthu and Bahraini long-distance runner Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa, both for a violation of the @iaaforg Anti-Doping Rules.
Find out more ➡ https://t.co/opInfkVlnV#AIUNews #CleanSport pic.twitter.com/teT6llQDrO

— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) May 21, 2019

Kirwa, who was born in Kenya but switched allegiance to compete for Bahrain, secured silver in Rio after clocking 2:24:13 behind winner Jemima Sumgong of Kenya, who has since been banned following a positive test for EPO.

Diamond League could be on its way to North East England due to Birmingham being unavailable

World-class athletics is poised to return to Gateshead International Stadium as the North East England venue looks set to act as a home for televised events while the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham undergoes redevelopment ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Gateshead held a number of British televised track and field events at the turn of the millennium and staged the European Team Championships in 2013 – in addition to its predecessor, the European Cup – in 1989 and 2000.

Great Britain even won the European Cup in 1989 (main image, above) and 2000 at Gateshead in exciting style. In the latter, for example, the host nation fielded a depleted squad due to many stars saving themselves for the Sydney Olympics a few months later, but the Bob Weir-captained team still won by half a point from Germany in a nail-biting finish to the weekend (pictured below).

More recently Birmingham and London have been the venues for the two IAAF Diamond League meetings held in Britain.

But it is thought Gateshead could now be in the running to host a Diamond League while Alexander Stadium is redeveloped.

The Chronicle newspaper on Tyneside reports that councillors in Gateshead have agreed to stage at least three major athletics events, despite the potentially high costs.

The Chronicle says: “If the competitions are hosted in the borough it’s estimated to cost the council £320,000 per event, which will be paid for out the authority’s Economic Growth, Culture and Place Shaping reserve.”

The newspaper also reports that Gateshead could be tempted to bid to stage the European Athletics Championships.

Events like the English Schools Championships have been held at Gateshead in recent years – and runners in the Simplyhealth Great North Run pass the stadium each year in their thousands – but it has not staged international televised athletics lately.

The venue has seen many fine athletics moments over the years. Pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva, 100m sprinter Asafa Powell and distance runner Brendan Foster are among those to set world records at Gateshead with local hero Foster in particular popularising the venue in the 1970s.

Culprits resign after complaints of sexism
By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Editor

Female squash players in Spain have complained bitterly after a sex toy was among the prizes on offer in a recent tournament.

Competitors in the recent Asturias Championship were furious as female participants discovered that prizes included a vibrator and a waxing kit.

The incident resulted in the tournament winner, Elisabet Sado, complaining about host club Squash Oviedo to the regional Asturias squash federation.

Following an enquiry, it is understood that club officials responsible for sourcing the prizes have resigned.

The incident received international coverage via the BBC and Ms Sado said: “Things have got to change.”

As well as receiving a trophy, she was given a Durex vibrator for winning the competition. The runner-up and semi-finalists received prizes that included hair-removal wax and a foot scraper to remove hard skin.

The prizes were forwarded to the local federation along with a letter of complaint.

Ms Sado told the BBC: “We were very surprised, very shocked. I think probably they just wanted to be funny or different, but we think it’s very sexist. There is too much discrimination against women.”

At the highest level in squash, most major tournaments are offering equal prize money to men and women.

But this kind of stunt is an insult to female players and the game itself. The morons responsible should be kicked out of the sport for good.

According to the BBC, Ms Sadó said she was pleased that the incident had resulted in people across Spain talking about sexism in sport.

She added: “I think the important thing is that there is a public debate and laws in Spain, and more protection so women can practise sport.”

BBC report here

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Readers are invited to leave comments below. 

Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam has signed a new long-term contract to become director of rugby at the club.

Former Newcastle, Northampton and Samoa back row Lam, 50, will remain at Ashton Gate on a deal until 2023.

Bears finished in an impressive ninth place in the Premiership this season, just five points off the top four and a place in the European Champions Cup.

"I'm proud to commit my future to Bristol and it was an easy decision to make," Lam said.

Bristol recorded the highest Premiership points total for a promoted side since 2007 with nine wins from 22 matches.

Lam joined the club in 2017, helping them clinch promotion from the Championship at the first attempt.

"We've set out a plan to bring a Premiership trophy to Ashton Gate and we're at the start of that journey," he said.

"Although my title changes to Director of Rugby, my passion and enjoyment for hands-on coaching remains stronger than ever. I will be in a tracksuit on the field as long as I can still walk!

"We are striving for the Bristol Bears to be world class at everything we do, so it's my responsibility to ensure every department fulfils that expectation."

Owner Steve Lansdown said Lam had "reinvigorated" the club and "given us a clear purpose and direction for the future".

"He has created an environment and team spirit that the whole city has bought into," he added.

"Myself, [chairman] Chris Booy and the board are hungry to see Bristol competing at the very top of domestic and European competition. Under Pat's leadership, that ambition can become a reality."

SALISBURY, N.C. – Kyle Larson and Carson Kvapil were the top dogs during Tuesday night’s qualifying session for the sixth-annual QRC Open presented by HMS Motorsport at Millbridge Speedway.

The duo led their respective time trial flights for the crown-jewel event at the sixth-mile dirt oval, putting themselves in prime position going into Wednesday night’s $5,151-to-win feature event.

Larson was the overall fast qualifier, turning a lap of 9.8145 seconds (61.134 mph) with his No. 1k Factory QRC/McDonald’s/Chevrolet Accessories outlaw kart to lead the 42-driver field.

“I felt really good about my car all day, even though I’ve changed it a lot from what I’ve typically ran here. We had it on the scales a bunch going into this deal to get it right,” explained Larson, who was fastest in flight B. “I feel really confident about it though. We ran a fast lap for being in group two.”

Kvapil, who led flight A of qualifying, was third-quick overall with a time of 9.9566 seconds (60.262 mph) in his No. 35 CorvetteParts.net/Keen Parts/Global CFS Motorsports Financing/SKE Chassis machine.

“I didn’t have my kart completely right; I wanted my wing back a little bit,” said Kvapil. “I made do with what I had, though. The first lap I took it pretty easy, but the second lap … I basically took it as hard as I could without dying. I just wanted to put a lap together; I didn’t want to wreck it or anything like that.

“I think we’ve got a really good piece though, and I think we’ll be even faster tomorrow night.”

Chase Majdic – who won Tuesday night’s $1,000-to-win Open division feature – split Larson and Kvapil with the second-fastest lap of the night at 9.9225 seconds (60.469 mph), also in flight B of qualifying.

Max Mittry and Daniel Whitley completed the top five on the speed charts, followed by Tom Hubert, Colby Copeland, Caden Kvapil, Demo Mittry and Jesse Colwell.

Former track champion Max McLaughlin was an uncharacteristic 11th-quick in time trials, with his Phantom Racing Chassis teammate and 2017 Speed51 Open winner Nick Hoffman right behind in 12th.

Other notables in qualifying included Logan Seavey (17th), Tanner Holmes (20th) and Ethan Mitchell (27th).

Heat races and the alphabet soup leading into the QRC Open presented by HMS Motorsport kicks off at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evening.

To view complete qualifying results, advance to the next page.

SALISBURY, N.C. – Chase Majdic didn’t go into Tuesday night’s Cookout Showdown at Millbridge Speedway thinking he would end up in victory lane, but he came away $1,000 richer thanks to a last-lap pass.

Majdic drove around race-long leader Caden Kvapil coming off turn two on the final circuit of the 25-lap Open division main event, charging home to the checkered flag in a photo finish with NASCAR star Kyle Larson as the younger Kvapil spun in turn three behind them.

Tuesday’s victory was the first of Majdic’s career at the one-sixth mile dirt oval.

“I could tell that he (Kvapil) was getting worn out. I was getting tired, too, so I was just trying to hang on,” Majdic said in victory lane. “He kind of bobbled down there; I don’t know exactly what happened. I just knew that was my shot, and we went for it.

“This feels really good,” added Majdic. “I hadn’t been in the car for a while, so to come out here and get a win with these guys feels amazing.”

The preliminary feature to the sixth-annual QRC Speed51 Open presented by HMS Motorsport was contested with special rules compared to a traditional weekly feature at Millbridge.

A competition caution with 10 laps to go saw all drivers outside the top 10 eliminated from competition, with Delaware double-file restarts and choose cone procedures utilized the rest of the way home.

Two early incidents set up a pair of restarts that allowed the frontrunners – Kvapil, Larson and Majdic – to figure out where they needed to be, and the second time around, Majdic’s choice of the bottom lane proved to be the move that ultimately paid off after he was able to pass Larson for second.

“I didn’t know what these restarts were. It was my first time ever doing it,” Majdic noted. “The first time, I chose the wrong line. I knew if we could get on that second row we’d have a chance. I just needed another restart to get a shot at it and we got it. I just had to be patient and pounce after that.”

Larson came through the dust to finish second by a bumper after avoiding the younger Kvapil on the final lap.

He actually passed Kvapil for the race lead twice – on laps 12 and 16 – but both times, the caution flag waved and negated the move, relegating Larson back to second and eventually into Majdic’s clutches late in the race.

“I felt really good in that feature. I just didn’t do a good job on restarts,” noted Larson. “I’d spin my tires and eventually it allowed Chase to get to my inside, and that was kind of the race after that. It was fun throwing sliders and racing like that, though. The track was really good and I thought it cleaned off well … so hopefully it’s like that tomorrow and we can put on another good show.”

Nick Hoffman completed the podium, followed by Californians Max Mittry and Chase Johnson.

Kvapil was relegated to ninth after his spin, as he stalled in turn four and didn’t take the checkered flag.

“I saw him (Majdic) peek the nose under me, so I knew he was going to try and throw a big slider,” explained Kvapil, who led the first 24 laps from the pole. “I just drove it real deep, but ended up getting loose and he took advantage of it.

“When I tried to get back to him, I just hooked his nerf bar and spun out. It’s a bummer.”

Tom Hubert completed the top 10 in the finishing order.

To view complete race results, advance to the next page.

BRIDGEPORT, N.J. – Danny Dietrich took his fifth World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series victory Tuesday night in the Outlaws’ debut at the three-eighths-mile Bridgeport Speedway.

To claim the trophy, he fended off attacks from David Gravel, Carson Macedo and 10-time series champion Donny Schatz – who even stole the lead from Dietrich late in the race.

“It was pretty nerve racking,” Dietrich said after the 35-lap feature.

Dietrich’s night started on a less nerve-cringing note, setting quick time in qualifying and making him the current track record holder for the new track configuration.

From there, he went on to finish second to Schatz in his Drydene heat race and then won the DIRTVision Fast Pass Dash.

His Dash victory led to concern, though.

Dietrich and his team discovered an issue with the rear end of their No. 48 car and had to change it. While sweat leaked from Dietrich and his crew, their nerves never faltered.

Focused and determined, the Dietrich team – along with help from others – were able to replace the car’s rear end in about 15 minutes.

Having a new rear end in the car was of no concern to Dietrich, but the new brakes were.

“We rolled out there (for the feature) and we had new brake pads and rotors. It needed to set the brake pads in a little bit,” Dietrich said. “We didn’t have very good brakes there rolling around before the green flag, but they came in.

“That’s the only thing I was worried about.”

When the green flag flew, all that mattered was the throttle. Dietrich mashed it, jolting to the lead over second-place Macedo, and put several car lengths between them by the end of the first lap.

At the same time, Schatz – who was hungry for a win after getting passed for the win last week – almost found himself off the track on the first lap and fell from third to 10th.

Schatz wouldn’t stay there long, though.

At the front, Dietrich enjoyed a clear race track for six laps before catching lap traffic. Behind him, Gravel worked his way by Macedo for second-place and could sense the blood in the water, with lap cars slowing Dietrich’s pace.

The Watertown, Conn., native looked for déjà vu when lap cars helped him pass Dietrich at Williams Grove Speedway and he went on to win.

Gravel had set himself up to make a pass of Dietrich, finding grip on the bottom of the track, but a caution came out for a car stopped on the front stretch.

When the race went back green, Gravel didn’t let Dietrich pull too far away. Macedo didn’t let the No. 41 car get away either. On lap 11, Macedo got by the No. 41 car, while Gravel tried to set himself up for another pass on Dietrich.

At the same time, Schatz had made his way to fourth place, steadily making his way back to the front.

For the next two laps, Gravel and Macedo traded positions, while Schatz waited for his moment to strike. Macedo eventually won the battle for second-place with seven laps to go.

Less than a lap later, he was back in third, as Schatz found his way by Gravel and continued the run past Macedo. Next was Dietrich.

With three laps to go, Schatz snuck under the No. 48 car in turns three and four and took the lead.

“Slow down and just be patient,” Dietrich said is what he told himself at that point. “When he passed me, I hit the bottom of (turns) one and two … and I just had to slow down and just wait for the moisture. It felt like I was just going so slow, but patience was key.”

A lap later his patience paid off.

Dietrich slid underneath Schatz in turns three and four and fended him off to be the first series winner on the three-eighths-mile configuration of the Bridgeport, N.J., track.

“Good hard, racing,” Dietrich said. “I’m sure he’s not happy to finish second, but I’m real happy to win.”

Digesting the result back at his hauler, Schatz said he wished he could have pulled off the win, but isn’t hanging his head too low.

“He did a little better job when I got by him and I probably should have used up more of the track a little bit,” Schatz said. “But, hey, it’s racing. There will be another one tomorrow.”

Schatz also continues to hold the points lead over Brad Sweet – extending it to a 36 point lead. Daryn Pittman remains third – 74 points back – and Gravel, who finished third, remains fourth.

Dietrich had the track figured out all night. Why? How?

“I have no idea,” he said with a chuckle.

To view complete race results, advance to the next page.

As each NHL team is eliminated from playoff contention, we'll take a look at why its quest for the Stanley Cup fell short in 2018-19, along with three keys to its offseason, impact prospects for 2019-20 and a way-too-early prediction for what next season will hold.

What went wrong

Their luck ran out.

Oh, the San Jose Sharks had a good amount of it throughout this playoff run. Witness that infamous Game 7 comeback against the Vegas Golden Knights after Joe Pavelski's horrific injury, scoring four times on a botched five-minute major penalty for which the NHL would apologize. Witness the successful coach's challenge on a rarely called offside in Game 7 against the Colorado Avalanche, as a goal came off the board due to Gabriel Landeskog standing near the bench on a change. Witness Game 3 against the St. Louis Blues, when Erik Karlsson scored in overtime after a hand pass went undetected by the on-ice officials -- who, like the officials from the Vegas debacle, would not appear again in the postseason.

But the karma turned after that. The Blues outscored the Sharks 12-2 in winning three straight games to eliminate them. Injuries became the story: The ongoing groin issues for Karlsson took him out of most of the third period of Game 4; most of the second and all of the third period in Game 5, where he factored into two Blues' goals before departing; and all of Game 6. Also absent from Game 6 were Tomas Hertl and Pavelski, both injured in Game 5.

The Sharks are a deep team. But not that deep.

Saying that San Jose had a run of good fortune in the postseason isn't meant to diminish their accomplishments. They rallied from a 3-1 series deficit against Vegas, winning a Game 6 in double-overtime on the road, and won Game 7 in overtime. Their series win over Colorado came with Pavelski out of the lineup for six games. The battled the Blues until their tank hit "empty."

GM Doug Wilson meticulously constructed a roster of franchise stalwarts (Joe Thornton, Pavelski, Logan Couture, Hertl, Brent Burns, Marc-Edouard Vlasic), imported stars (Evander Kane, Karlsson and Gustav Nyquist) and a solid young supporting cast. It was a team that amassed 101 points in the regular season and scored the second most goals (289) in the NHL. It was a team that saw goalie Martin Jones have a mediocre regular season, start the playoffs losing three of four games, and then rebound with a series of solid efforts.

They were a team built to win the Stanley Cup this season. They won't. And now they're looking at an uncertain tomorrow.