Former World Marathon Record Holder Fined For Drinking During Curfew

Former World Marathon Record holder and Olympic bronze medallist Wilson Kipsang has avoided jail after he admitted of locking himself in a bar and drinking alcohol in breach of a curfew imposed by the Kenyan government because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Kipsang was detained with 20 others after police officers found them in the popular club in Iten, drinking past 7pm. He admitted the charge when he appeared before Iten Magistrate’s court on Friday.

Resident magistrate Charles Kutwo had warned Kipsang that a prison sentence was an option but he fined the athlete Ksh. 5,000 ($50) before ordering him to be quarantined for 14 days at a state facility where they will be tested for Covid-19.

Kipsang stormed into history books in 2013 when he won the BMW Berlin Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, after setting a record of 2:03:23.

In December 2019, Kipsang was involved in a road accident that extensively wrecked his car in what was suspected to be a case of drunk driving.

The 37-year-old Kenyan is currently suspended for violating doping rules, pending a ruling where he might be banned for two-years by World Athletics.