Asbel denies doping claims

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

Athletics Kenya yesterday refused to confirm or deny reports claiming former Olympic 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop failed an out-of-competition drug test.

Unconfirmed reports in foreign media on Wednesday claimed the 28-year-old Kiprop, a three-time world champion, had tested positive for the endurance-boosting drug EPO (erythropoietin).

The athlete vehemently denied the allegations.

“Wada (World Anti-Doping Agency) protocol is strict on such matters. It’s prudent to approach this issue with caution as it’s not really conclusive as we speak,” said Barnabas Korir, a top Athletics Kenya (AK) executive committee member.

“The process to determine the allegations is ongoing and it takes time. AK at this moment cannot confirm or deny the same.”

It would be a serious blow to Kenyan athletics if it is confirmed that Kiprop, one of the biggest names in the country’s stellar cast of middle-distance athletes, has tested positive for the drug.

Kiprop originally came second in the 1,500m final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but was upgraded when Rashid Ramzi tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and was stripped of the gold medal.

The athlete, writing on the official Athletics Kenya WhatsApp chat group, vowed to clear his name.

“I have read the reports linking me to doping,” Kiprop said. “As an athlete, I have been at the forefront of the fight against doping in Kenya - a fight I strongly believe in and support. I would not want to ruin all what I have worked for since 2007. I hope I can prove that I am a clean athlete in every way possible.”

It was unclear whether Kiprop, who is managed by the Italian Rosa and Associati management group, will be able to run in the season’s opening IAAF Diamond League race in Doha today.

The claims against Kiprop have triggered calls to AK to scrutinise Rosa and Associati management group and Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya to be ruthless with doping offenders.

Former Boston Marathon winner Wesley Kiprop wrote on his Twitter handle: “Rosa must go, enough is enough and if AK is not going to do something about it we will do it.”

He further said: “When can we say enough is enough? 90% of good Kenyan athletes caught doping have come from one agency. I am now making it my duty that Rosa and Associates are kicked out of Kenya and never allowed to represent Kenyan athletes; it is now or never. Get ready.”

Some of the top Kenyan runners associated with Rosa and Associati serving doping bans include Rita Jeptoo, Jemimah Sumgong, Agatha Jeruto and Josephine Jepkorir.

Kenya has been fighting intense criticism of its anti-doping efforts after more than 40 athletes tested positive over the past five years.

Three years ago, Kenya was rated “non-compliant” by Wada before being reinstated prior to the Rio Olympics.