Medical officials have declared sixteen athletes unfit to compete in the prestigious Mount Cameroon Race of Hope. The Cameroon Athletics Federation made the announcement on Friday during the launch of activities for the race’s 30th edition.
The federation has officially released a list of 763 athletes from 12 different countries expected to take part in the race. Among the participating countries are Italy, Costa Rica, and Uganda.
Anti-Doping Test Introduced
Ahead of the event, the federation confirmed that athletes would undergo anti-doping tests both before and after the race to ensure their fitness and integrity in the competition.
At the launch ceremony in Buea, the Minister of Sport and Physical Education expressed satisfaction with the event’s level of preparedness. “Cameroon is poised for its diversity thanks to the love youths have demonstrated for sport,” he said.
Before the minister’s speech, the representative of the Mayor of Buea warmly welcomed all attendees to the city. He also thanked the Governor for maintaining peace in the municipality and urged those still in the bushes to lay down their arms, as requested by President Paul Biya, and join the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) process.
Security Heightened in Buea
With the race set to begin in the early hours of Saturday, authorities have significantly heightened security in Buea. The Rapid Intervention Battalion officers patrol key junctions and the streets of the city. The municipal police removed any sheds deemed too close to the roads in preparation for the event.
In a grim reminder of past events, separatists took responsibility for a bomb attack in 2023 that killed at least two people and injured several athletes. This year, organisers tightened security measures to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators.
