Mark Otieno Secures Global Ambassadorial Role With Major Sports Medicine Company

Mark Otieno has secured an ambassadorial role with a major sports medicine company following his successful return to competitive sprinting.

Mark Otieno has officially signed an ambassadorial deal with Rygg, a sports medicine company based in Oceania.

The announcement, made by Rygg_oceania on social media, celebrated Mark Otieno as a "world-class sprinter and one of Kenya’s fastest athletes.

The company expressed optimism about the Kenyan sprint sensation, noting that he brings genuine energy and commitment.

The partnership will see Mark Otieno, a three-time national 100m champion with a personal best of 10.05 seconds, represent the brand on the global stage.

For Rygg, the alignment with Mark Otieno is an opportunity to associate with an athlete who embodies resilience and elite performance.

The move will also see Mark Otieno advocate for safe, clean, and supported athletic pursuits, potentially positioning him as a voice for anti-doping education and supplement caution, an area he has championed since his return to the track.

“We’re proud to welcome @officialmarkotieno to Team Rygg. A world-class sprinter and one of Kenya’s fastest athletes, Mark brings genuine energy, athleticism and commitment to his craft,” the post on Instagram said.

“We’re excited to support his journey and have him representing Rygg on the global stage. Welcome to the team, Mark.”

Mark Otieno's Comeback

Mark Otieno’s career faced a dramatic halt in July 2021, moments before he was due to compete in the 100m heats at the delayed Tokyo Olympics.

An out-of-competition test revealed the presence of the banned anabolic steroid Methasterone, leading to a provisional suspension.

Mark Otieno consistently maintained his innocence, attributing the positive test result to a contaminated nutritional supplement. He embarked on a rigorous legal process to prove his claim, which included testing the BCAA supplement he had purchased and used.

The lab results confirmed the presence of the prohibited substance in the supplement, substantiating his plea of no significant fault or negligence.

This evidence was instrumental in the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) reducing his initial four-year ban to two years of ineligibility. The ban was backdated to the date of his provisional suspension, making him eligible to compete again from July 31, 2023.

Following his comeback, Mark Otieno has since been vocal about the need for better practices to reduce unintentional doping in sports.

Since his clearance to compete, Mark Otieno has wasted no time in his pursuit of excellence. His return to the national team for the World Athletics Relays in 2024 was a symbolic and competitive milestone, pairing him once again with Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala.

His subsequent performances in national trials and international competitions show an athlete determined to regain his peak form.

As he continues his pursuit of a sub-10-second run, the support from Ryygg will be critical in providing the necessary sports science and recovery assistance.