Government Ousts Kenya Olympic Committee

(ATR) Kenyan sports minister Hassan Wario says the Kenyan NOC is disbanded, alleging mismanagement of the Rio 2016 Olympics.

"I am with immediate effect transferring NOCK's responsibilities to Sports Kenya on an interim basis," Wario said at a press conference on Thursday.

Wario is initiating a committee to investigate the alleged misconduct at the Games as well as a commission to begin to elect new members. The results of the investigation are expected to be revealed on Sep. 30.

"There was alleged mismanagement of the facilitation of our athletes and the entire team Kenya ranging from accommodation and travel mishaps, mishandling of the accreditation of the list of participants to the provision of kits that never reached the athletes,"Wario said.

Wario issued the allegations amid calls for his resignation by hundreds of Kenyan citizens on Twitter Thursday using the #WarioMustGo, in a move some say is a way to divert blame from the sports ministry to the Kenyan NOC.

Despite the alleged issues, Kenya had its most successful Olympics in history, earning six golds, six silvers and one bronze medal.

Kenyan NOC secretary general Paul Francis tells Reuters the NOC will seek help from the International Olympic Committee to further investigate the matter. The IOC will likely be eager to investigate given its position that governments should not interfere with sport and a country’s NOC.

The Kenyan NOC could not be reached by Around the Rings for comment on Thursday.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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