The National Olympic Committee of Kenya responded to allegations by Kenyan Fencer and Olympic champion Alexandra Ndolo over failing to finance her and giving empty promises.
According to a statement shared by the committee, it could not finance Ndolo because of pending processes to fully allow her to represent Kenya in the Paris 2024 Olympic champions.
The statement added that Ndolo, who was previously playing for Germany, expressed interest to fly Kenya's flag and was released to the Kenya Fencing Federation in September 2022.
However, because the Olympic guidelines only allowed athletes to compete three years after changing nationalities, the Kenya Fencing Federation applied for a waiver that had not yet been approved.
The Federation therefore could not release funds to support her until the International Olympic Committee finalised the decision to grant a waiver.
“NOC-K has been able to obtain all the necessary documentation and requisite approvals and formal application now made to International Olympic Committee for consideration.
“The committee which will consider this application will next seat in the month of June, after which, we shall be advised on whether the waiver has been granted and if so allow the athlete to represent Kenya,” the statement read in part.
Further, the committee stated that the federation did not enough funds to support athletes representing Kenya internationally and that there were plans to source for sponsorship.
“We however hasten to add the funds available from these programs just to provide support like other athletes such as Angela Okutoyi amongst other individual athletes under the support
“It is not sufficient for all ranking events for individual athletes who may need to participate in several to keep good rankings,” the statement read in part.
Ndolo took to social media on May 20, lamenting that she was forced to finance herself despite representing Kenya in different games.
According to the athlete, the Kenya Fencing Federation had promised to support her through the journey but she had instead spent all her finances while supporting herself.
"So far, I have organised and financed all of my fencing seasons. I have planned, booked and paid for every single training camp and competition.
"I cannot afford to promote fencing in Kenya, assure visibility for the young Kenyan athletes, the young Kenyan couches and provide results for the officials whilst getting no support whatsoever. All I have received have been empty words," she lamented.
