Ngugi critical of officials

Athletics

John Ngugi, the former Olympic 5,000 metres champion who was reinstated earlier this week on appeal against a four-year ban for refusing an out- of-competition drug test, has criticised Kenyan officials for their lack of support.

"The KAAA [Kenya Amateur Athletics Association] was never on my side during the time of tribulation," Ngugi said. "This was a very simple case but, because the KAAA refused to cooperate, it went on and on. Some of them were too jealous. They wanted kickbacks from athletes. Some wonder why we own big cars. They forget that talent is God-given which they cannot take away from us. Some officials were happy about my predicament. Only my fellow athletes fought for me."

Ngugi's four-year ban was lifted at a meeting of the International Amateur Athletic Federation governing council under a special circumstances rule. He has always maintained he did not use drugs.