Track’s world championships continue amid more doping news

It seems that track and field cannot escape negative headlines.

At the sport’s world championships in Beijing — which began under a cloud of new doping allegations — officials announced on Wednesday that two Kenyan runners have tested positive.

Koki Manunga, a hurdler, and Joyce Zakary, who runs the 400 meters, were provisionally suspended in the wake of results from targeted testing last week, the international track federation announced.

Manunga had failed to advance past the preliminary heats in her event, and Zakary did not show up for her semifinal.

Recent reports in German and British media have alleged widespread doping in track. Some of those allegations involved Kenyan athletes.

Wednesday’s news threatened to overshadow the action at the Bird’s Nest Stadium, especially winning performances by Kenyans in the javelin and women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Sprint rivals Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin looked impressive advancing to Thursday’s final in the men’s 200 meters. Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa won the 400 meters, with LaShawn Merritt of the U.S. finishing second.

Kenya continued to lead the medals’ count with six golds and an overall 11.