Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop claims he was the victim of extortion by doping control officers

Asbel Kiprop omn his training gear. [Photo: Courtesy]

Track star Asbel Kiprop claims he was the victim of extortion by doping control officers on the day he reportedly failed a drugs test.

The Olympic and three-time world 1500m champion further alleges that he was offered an IAAF ambassadorial role if he admitted to doping.

Kiprop, 28, had planned to compete in the Diamond League opener in Qatar on Friday. Instead he is fighting to save his career.

The policeman claims he was tipped off by doping control officers who then allegedly extorted him.

“I did not at the time expect that the request for the money had anything to do with the sample,” said the Kenyan, who insists he would be “the last person to commit such an atrocious un-sports like thing”.

“At that time I did not see the money as inducement or bribe for anything. I gave it in good faith thinking they may have some need known to them.

“In retrospect I now clearly see the money as having a relation with the sample collected on that date.”

Kiprop’s claim continues a rich tradition of incredible reasons put forward by athletes to explain failed drugs tests.

US sprinter Dennis Mitchell famously blamed high testosterone levels on “five bottles of beer and sex with his wife at least four times”.

LaShawn Merritt, the 2008 Olympic 400m champion, pointed to “an over-the-counter male enhancement product”.

Both were banned.