Wilson Kipsang suspended for anti-doping violations

Marathoner Wilson Kipsang answers questions during a press conference at the Tokyo marathon in Tokyo on February 24, 2017. [AFP]

Former World marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich has been provisionally suspended from participating in any athletics competition.

Kipsang was suspended from athletics activities for whereabouts failures and tampering with samples, a violation of World Athletics Anti-Doping rules.

Under the rule, athletes have to inform testing authorities of their whereabouts for a one-hour window of every day and three failures — not being present at the said time within 12 months — leads to an automatic ban.

Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said, “The AIU confirms a provisional suspension against Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich of Kenya for whereabouts failures & tampering, both violations of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.”

According to AIU, a provisional suspension is when an athlete or other person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in Athletics.

The suspension comes prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.

According to AUI, a notice of charge has been issued to the 2017 Tokyo Marathon champion.

Wilson Kipsang of Kenya crosses the line to win the men's race in the 2014 London Marathon. [File, AFP]

The two-time London and Frankfurt marathon champion, join the growing list of Kenyan athletes who have been suspended on doping allegations.

They include Peter Kwemoi (Presence of Prohibited Substances (EPO) (Article 2.1), Mercy Jerotich Kibarus and James Kibet both suspended due to Presence of Prohibited Substances (Norandrosterone) (Article 2.1) last year.

Others include Vincent Kipsegechi Yator due to the presence of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone, Prednisone, Prednisolone and use of a Prohibited Substance as well as Joyce Chepkirui due to use of a Prohibited Substance / Method (Article 2.2).

Kipsang who started running a full marathon in 2010 was among athletes who attended the 2019 Athletics Kenya (AK) Athletes Conference.