Olympic and three-time 1500m World Champion Asbel Kiprop on Wednesday disclosed that he was asked to admit that he doped so that I would be made an IAAF ambassador on anti-doping.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the celebrated multiple gold medalist maintained that the doping allegations were false.
"I have noted the main media reports alleging that I have doped. I have also noted social media comments on the allegation. I vehemently deny any doping. I have remained faithful to my anti-doping convictions and I will be the last person to commit such an atrocious un-sports like thing.
"I have been asked to admit that I doped so that I would be made an ambassador of I.A.A.F on anti-doping. I have refused, as this is not only untrue but also a fraud. I do not need absolution on the allegations." his statement read in part.
[caption caption="Olympic and three-time 1500m World Champion Asbel Kiprop "]
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He disclosed that he was notified about an Out-of-Competition doping test by an anti-doping agent - a notification he realized he was not supposed to have received as per the IAAF rules.
"On 26th November 2017 I was notified by way of a telephone call from an anti-doping agent, Mr. Simon Karugu “Mburu” to be available for doping test on 27th November 2017 at my disclosed whereabouts, by then Iten. I availed myself. Messers Paul Scott and Simon Karugu “Mburu” came into the house alone being Doping Control Officers.
"It is to be noted that under World Anti-doping rules I was not supposed to be given notice of the intended visit to collect the sample, especially where the test is “out of competition” like this one," Kiprop added.
The 1500M World Champion maintained that his urine sample could have been contaminated by the agents as money exchanged hands. Kiprop stated that he sent them money via his M-Pesa.
"I remain perplexed on how my innocent sample could turn positive on the only time when money was extorted from me. It is not beyond my suspicion that my sample turned positive because I might have remitted less money than I was expected to remit," he conveyed.
In the statement, Kiprop stated that he found out his sample had turned out positive on February 3, news which he found shocking. He was however confident that the mistake alleging he doped would moted and he cleared.
[caption caption="Olympic and three-time 1500m World Champion Asbel Kiprop "]
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He stated the public trial he had been subjected to was not fair as the investigations were supposed to be carried out confidentially
"I pray to be given the benefit of doubt even as I am cast into this lonely isolation. I know it may be impossible to defend myself from any accuser who has made up his mind and who would view my protestations as a mere denial.
"I, however, pray that all and sundry of good-will do not hasten to summarily make negative assumptions and judgment about me. I grave to be seen for who I am, what I have stood for and what I represent.
"However for the determined, before God and before man, I am innocent. I did not dope. I do not labour under the weight of the shame of doping," his statement concluded.
[caption caption="Olympic and three-time 1500m World Champion Asbel Kiprop "]
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