The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Kenya's Jelimo, Makau linked to doping substances

Weird News

By - | Oct 26, 2012

- Adapted from Xinhua

Kenya's Beijing Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo and world marathon record holder Patrick Makau have been cited by German journalist Hajo Seppelt as some of the clients of clinics providing doping substances.

Following his latest claims in an interview published at Athletics Illustrated website, Athletics Kenya (AK) top brass met on Friday but declined to comment on the allegations.

"There is nothing new in the claims and we have read them on the internet and we have nothing to say and once we have, we shall let you know," AK president Isaiah Kiplagat said when reached to comment on the matter.

"The issue is already with WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) and we are discussing it and soon, we shall let you know," he added.

Keep Reading

According to Seppelt, Makau and Jelimo patronised clinics in Nairobi and Kapsabet who admitted to supplying banned anaerobic drugs including blood booster EPO although the German national TV ARD freelancer did not allege the two famed stars purchased or used the banned substances available at the facilities.

"What I can say is that - according to the owner of the store in Nairobi - Patrick Makau is one of the clients of the store in downtown Nairobi. But the guy who sold us the EPO claimed that Makau and other world-class runners only buy nutrition supplements there," Seppelt told Athletics Illustrated.

Makau is lined up to compete at Sunday's Frankfurt Marathon where he is chasing his own 2:03:38 world record set in Berlin last year.

"Believe it or not. Regarding the clinic in the high altitude region (Kapsabet) we have been told by the doctor that he is working with a lot of world-class athletes. He only mentioned Pamela Jelimo's name. And he showed us her medical data. But again: He was talking about clients. Not more," Seppelt said.

Jelimo's Golazo Sports country manager Barnabas Korir declined to comment about the claims when contacted.

Seppelt further alleged that Matthew Kisorio, who captained Kenya's team to the Punta Umbria World Cross in 2011, collaborated the assertion doping among the country's revered distance runners was rife after testing positive for banned substances in June.

"We met Mathew Kisorio twice. He was apparently very afraid. But he talked very frankly about his doping experiences with doctors in the country. Our impression was that he hoped to get a reduced ban, for example one year or six months instead of two years - if he admits what he did," the German journalist narrated.

Seppelt first caused ripples in Kenyan athletics circles in May when he ran a report on ARD weekend show, Sportschau, incurring the wrath of AK top brass and athletes who vehemently disputed his claims.

Only last week, Kiplagat announced that foreign journalists and agents seeking audience with Kenyan runners would be required to get clearance from the federation.

Seppelt gathered his explosive report while working as undercover as an athletics agent from Europe.