Olympic 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop denies doping claims

Reports emerged Wednesday that the 28-year-old three-time world champion tested positive for blood boosting agent EPO.

Kiprop insists that he’s a “clean athlete who has been at the forefront of the fight against doping in Kenya, a fight I strongly believe in and support.”

Kiprop is not the first Kenyan athlete to be accused of using banned substances. Olympic marathon Champion Jemima Sumgong, was also banned for four years after testing positive of EPO. Her claim of taking EPO for an ectopic pregnancy was rejected by the Kenya Sports Dispute Tribunal.

Two-time cross-country world champion Emily Chebet was also banned for four years after testing positive for the diuretic and masking agent furosemide.

Other athletes serving bans include sprinters Francisca Koki and Joyce Zakari who were busted at the 2015 Beijing World Championships after testing positive for traces of masking agent furosemide.