High cost of doping violation: Jeptoo starts defence against doping claims, as Kip Keino calls for tough action against those behind the saga

Chicago Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo meets Athletic Kenya Vice President David Okeyo at Riadha House on 4-11-2014. She was summoned on the doping test allegations.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

As Rita Jeptoo starts the defence against doping violation, which was leveled against her last week, we can reveal that she will bear the entire cost of the whole process, which could run into millions of shillings.

Jeptoo, 33, twice winner of Chicago Marathon and three times of Boston Marathon, started the process of defending herself yesterday when she appeared before the Athletics Kenya medical and anti-doping commission at the Riadha House, Nairobi.

According to International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rules, the athlete has to be notified in writing soonest and be provisionally suspended from competition for the period the disciplinary process is on going.

She has a right to be provided, at her own cost, with the A sample laboratory documentation package. The IAAF had set yesterday's deadline to explain the finding in the A sample, which revealed the presence of the prohibited substance erithropoietin, popularly known as EPO.

Her urine sample was taken on September 25 in Eldoret and the analysis performed at the WADA accredited laboratory of Lausanne. She also had up to yesterday to request for a B analysis to be performed.

If she requested that a B analysis be performed, which was highly expected, she is to pay for the cost of the analysis. She can attend in person or appoint a representative. She will also meet the cost of travel and accommodation for herself and/or her representative.

AK is not sitting pretty either. The federation must keep the IAAF copied of all correspondents with the athlete throughout the disciplinary process, including AK's notice of the adverse analytical finding, the athlete's explanation, the provisional suspension letter and confirmation of the date of the athlete's hearing.

Meanwhile, National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Chairman, Dr Kipchoge Keino, wants disciplinary and legal action taken against those responsible for doping among Kenyan athletes.

"Our athletes are at risk of unscrupulous people, who don't care for the future of our youth. Our government should move with speed to stem this tide, arrest those responsible and take them to court to face the legal consequences of their activities," he said.

"Some of them are not coaching or managing athletes from their countries. Yet they come here to spoil our reputation and use our athletes as guinea pigs," an angry Keino said. "We just do everything to protect our youth, including barring the culprits from entering our country. We also need a massive education programme on doping and related matters," he said.