By Feverpitch Reporter
Olympics 1500m silver medallist Asbel Kiprop has been expelled from the IOC/IAAF Kipchoge Keino High Performance Training Centre (HPTC) in Eldoret.
Speaking to FeverPitch, Kiprop who ran 3:33.11 to take the second medal behind Bahrain’s Rashid Ramzi disclosed:
"I was fired (from HPTC) for being visited by my girlfriend alongside Andrew Kiptoo Rotich who was also involved. "My girlfriend came to watch the World Cross on Dstv with me. That wasn’t allowed according to HPTC rules."
Asbel Kiprop at a past event. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD] |
But in a swift rebuttal to the athlete’s claim, IOC member and founder of the camp, Kipchoge Keino said the decision was taken after Kiprop was caught sneaking the girl into the institution during the night.
Kiptoo, a budding runner who finished third at the recent second AK Weekend Track Meeting in Nyeri, was accused of being an accomplice during the Saturday incident.
"It was not his first time and as an Olympic medallist, he was setting a bad example to other athletes. We have no problem with anyone having a partner but the centre is for training and such relationships should be kept outside," Dr Keino told FeverPitch.
He revealed that he had communicated to fellow directors among them IAAF Council Member, Isaiah Kiplagat, Athletics Kenya (AK) general secretary, David Okeyo and IAAF Regional Director, John Velzian on sanctions against Kiprop and Kiptoo.
He threw the pair a lifeline, stating that written apologies to the centre’s management board and readiness to listen to counsel could see them re-admitted.
"If they are willing to listen to advice and say they are sorry, then we are willing to forgive. HPTC is there to develop talent, not destroy it," he remarked.
In another twist, the Olympic silver medallist claimed he had gone to the home of Keino yesterday morning to seek pardon in the company of four athletes but was turned down.
"He would hear none of it," the runner told FeverPitch adding, "I went there to make my apologies hoping to resolve this matter."
Kiprop, who joined HPTC on November 9, 2006, has since competed for Kenya five times, bagging four medals.
He won junior gold at Mombasa World Cross in 2007 before adding the All Africa Games 1500m title the same year.
Last year, he won bronze over 800m at the African Championships and silver in Beijing.
"I have talked to an Australian coach who trains my brother at Iten to help me with my drills," Kiprop, who is aiming for a place in the national team for the August Berlin world Championships, offered.
