Asbel Kiprop’s ‘fixing’ claims in doping scam trashed by Athletics Integrity Unit
Former 1,500m World and Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop’s claims that two anti-doping officials extorted him and possibly tempered with his urine samples have been denounced by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
In his first public statement on the matter on Thursday, Kiprop had implicated the two anti-doping officials, who visited his home in Iten on November 27, 2017, of soliciting for money from him.
He also revealed that, contrary to stipulated doping rules, one of the officials provided him with an advance notice of the impending testing and the date when it would be conducted.
He further appeared to suggest that the collected samples may have been tampered thereafter by the officials and that he was offered a ‘reward’ of being an IAAF ambassador on anti-doping if he made an admission to doping.
But in an immediate rejoinder AIU – other than acknowledging the said officer’s fault in providing an advance notice – has categorically dismissed all the other claims by the athlete.
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“In the course of these proceedings, Mr Kiprop has made a number of public allegations in relation to the sample collection process. These allegations have been investigated by the AIU. The AIU is satisfied that there has been no mix up or tampering with the Sample and that the Sample collected from the Athlete on 27 November 2017 was the same Sample analysed by the Laboratory and reported as an Adverse Analytical Finding,” AIU said in a lengthy statement.
The Unit however maintained that the advanced notice of testing given by the Doping Control Assistant could not reasonably have caused EPO to be present in Mr Kiprop’s Sample and, as such, the departure does not invalidate the Adverse Analytical Finding.
“Mr Kiprop alleges that the confidentiality of the proceedings was breached by the AIU. This allegation is rejected. The AIU has fully adhered to the principle of confidentiality throughout.
“In relation to Mr Kiprop’s allegation that he was offered a ‘reward’ of being an IAAF ambassador on anti-doping, this is also rejected. Prior to the commencement of the disciplinary proceedings AIU investigators met with Mr Kiprop,” AIU further said.
With these developments, Kiprop may yet have a daunting task in absolving himself and clearing his name from the doping claims which are threatening to ruin his illustrious athletics career.