Athletics Kenya Tightens Age Verification Rules Amid Global Crackdown on Age Cheating

Athletics Kenya has unveiled stricter age verification procedures as it steps up preparations for junior athletes ahead of the World Under-20 Championships, following a renewed global push to curb age cheating in athletics.

The federation confirmed that it will now apply tougher scrutiny to age documentation in line with new requirements set by World Athletics. The decision comes as Kenya readies its junior team for the upcoming World Under-20 Championships scheduled to take place in Eugene, Oregon.

Barnabas Korir, Athletics Kenya’s Director of Youth Development, revealed that the international governing body is demanding more detailed and consistent proof of age from all athletes taking part in age-category competitions. According to Korir, the era of relying on a single document to confirm an athlete’s age is coming to an end.

Barnabas Korir on Age Cheating

“World Athletics has introduced very stringent measures,” Korir said, as quoted by Citizen Digital. “Even when your age is genuine, you are now required to prove beyond any doubt that it is your exact age.”

He explained that Athletics Kenya will adopt a comprehensive verification process that examines multiple records rather than accepting one document in isolation. Birth certificates, passports, or national identity cards on their own will no longer be considered sufficient proof, especially for athletes aged 18 and above.

“As we prepare for the World Under-20 Championships this year, we will introduce additional checks,” Korir noted. “We will not accept only a birth certificate, a passport alone, or an ID as standalone evidence.”

Instead, the federation will focus on ensuring consistency across an athlete’s records from birth through their development years. Korir stated that supporting documents must align with historical records to confirm that the stated age matches data captured earlier in life.

The tougher approach is aimed at addressing long-standing concerns raised by the international community over age falsification in junior athletics. Such practices have previously resulted in severe consequences, including athlete disqualifications, loss of medals, and reputational damage to federations.

Korir also stressed that responsibility does not rest solely with athletes. Parents, coaches, and schools were urged to play their part by keeping accurate and verifiable records from an athlete’s early years. He emphasized that collective accountability is essential to protect athletes and preserve the credibility of Kenyan athletics on the global stage.