UPDATE 16:40: Kenya Sprinter Mark Otieno has issued a statement after he was withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics for failing the doping test conducted earlier in the day.
In a statement on his social media pages, Otieno dismissed that he had not been involved in doping of any kind.
"My integrity as an athlete and an individual is paramount to me, and I hold in great honor the opportunity I have been given to represent my Country on this global stage, as I have done many times in the past.
"Representing my country in the Olympics is a dream that I have had for many years, and it is truly devastating that this dream, and the trust all my supporters and country have placed in me, has been cut short."
Kenya Sprinter Mark Otieno was on Saturday, July 31 withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics after failing the doping test.
Mark Otieno, one of the two Kenya sprinters, tested positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition test.
Otieno was scheduled to participate in the 100m Heats at 1:45pm Kenyan time.
Team Kenya’s CDM Waithaka Kioni told journalists that the athlete had not taken any medication or supplements in the recent past.
"We have an athlete that is alleged to have doped (anabolic steroid). He has requested for B sample test which the AIU has accepted to do. Upon findings, (match or mismatch) then we will release a statement," Kioni told journalists.
He added that Otieno was under psychological care and had been withdrawn from competition.
Kioni added that the athlete was being treated as innocent until results of his Sample B urine analysis were released.
"NOC Kenya and the Management of Team Kenya does not condone doping and will continue to partner with Adak in the continuous provision of anti-doping education to all our athletes," he stated.
On Saturaday morning, Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare was also withdraw from the games after failing a doping test.
She was set to participate in the women's 100 metres semi-finals later on Saturday.
Okagbare tested positive for human growth hormone.
