Asbel Kiprop, the Olympic and three times world champion over 1500m has issued statement denying reports that tested positive for banned blood-boosting agent EPO.
The 28-year-old was reported by Britain’s Press Association to have failed an out-of-competition test.
In a four pages statement, Kiprop strongly condemns the doping allegations saying that he had furnished information, to the officials who visited his house in November last year, indicating he was under medication.
“On 26th November 2017 I was notified by way of telephone call from an ant-doping agent to be available for doping the next day and I disclosed my location by then Iten.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“The two officials collected the sample and sealed. I declared that I was under flu medication when the sample was taken,”[/perfectpullquote]
reads part of the statement.
Kiprop also cited monetary extortion by two officials who he mentioned their names adding that they might have been tampered with the sample in order to tarnish his good name.
“After I had given them urine sample, one of the officials (name withheld) asked if I could give them some money which I forwarded to them though M-Pesa for record.
“At that time I did not see the money as inducement or bribe for anything. In retrospect I now clearly see the money as having relation with the sample collected on that date…I don’t know if they tampered with the sample.”
It would be a serious blow to Kenyan athletics if World Anti-Doping Agency and the Kenyan government through the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya goes ahead to ban Kiprop ,who is one of the biggest name among the country’s middle-distance athletes.
Athletic Kenya (AK) which is the body that governs the sport in Kenya had earlier today issued a statement calling fans to be patience.
Kenya has been fighting intense criticism of its anti-doping efforts after more than 40 athletes tested positive over the past five years.
Three years ago, Kenya was rated “non-compliant” by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) before being reinstated prior to the Rio Olympics.
Kiprop said he would not wish to ruin his successful career of many years by doping. Photo: IAAF/Twitter
