Asbel Kiprop should expect just judgment, says AIU Boss

Three times world 1500m champion, Asbel Kiprop’s doping case is expected to conclude with a fair judgment as his case has been referred to the DT. The head of the Athletics Integrity Unit spoke exclusively to Athletics News on various issues touching on doping in the country and globally.

Brett Clothier the head of Athletics Integrity Unit said that although there was no evidence of institutionalized doping in the country, it was still case for serious concern. He also mentioned on Kiprop that although the case is still under review by judges handling the case, AIU was determined to give him a fair hearing and conclusive judgment.

This comes in the wake of Kiprop insisting that the process to take samples from him was marred by irregularities starting with the anti-doping agents calling him prior to testing him which goes against their own internal regulations.

Secondly accusations of extortion from one of the officials have further tainted the whole process since it attacks the integrity of AIU as it goes about its global policing effort of curbing doping amongst athletes.

In May the AIU rejected claims his sample was tampered with and that testers had asked him for money.

‘I could trust them’ – what happened?

Kiprop was tested on 27 November 2017 in Iten, Kenya, having been told the previous night that doping control officers would be visiting.

Although that is against protocol, Kiprop said he did not take it as “something serious” because it had happened before.

The AIU said Kiprop’s sample was not tampered with but said it is “extremely disappointing” he was given advance notice of the test.

In response to Brett, Asbel said, “If at all I earn justice. I’m going to make the best out of my career. I have always not taken things so serious neither bring myself together to realize my full potential. But here I have learned that everything we do we gotta take every step as it counts because in every profession anything can happen anytime. If I earn justice. I will bring all my act together in order to realize my full potential. It will take me over another season to train and get a stable foundation but I believe I will be there. All I pray is to earn justice”.

Kiprop’s failed test dealt another damaging blow to Kenya’s reputation as a middle and long-distance running superpower. Dozens of Kenyans have tested positive for an array of doping substances in recent years. They’ve included big names, among them Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong, Rita Jeptoo, Matthew Kisorio,Agatha Jeruto and Lucy Kabuu.

Sumgong and Jeptoo tested positive for EPO and were banned for four years. Kisorio and Jeruto tested positive for traces of steroids and were banned for two and four years, respectively.