The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned long-distance runner Kennedy Kiprop for two years after he missed three doping tests between November and December 2023.
In a detailed statement, AIU issued a Notice of Charge to the athlete for contravening the International Standard for Results Management (ISRM).
Article 2.4 of the ADR dictates that an Anti-Doping violation constitutes any combination of three missed tests and or filling failures, as defined in the ISRM, within 12 months of an athlete in a registered testing pool.
Kiprop is a renowned athlete who has clinched gold medals in Korea and one in China.
First Whereabout Failure
AIU indicated that a Doping Control Officer and his assistant arrived at a camp address on November 6, 2023, to conduct the doping test on the athlete as agreed.
The officers are required to spend a maximum time of 60 minutes in the camp as specified in the rules.
However, a man in the camp informed them that the athlete was in his off-season at his home.
Upon calling Kiprop, he stated that he was in Eldoret and would not make it to the camp within 60 minutes.
Three days later, AIU wrote to the athlete requesting an explanation for missing the test. He did not submit the document by the 17 deadline.
Second Whereabout Failure
On November 28, 2023, the DCO officer and his assistant were at the camp but were informed that he had changed management and no longer stayed at the camp.
Kiprop was contacted and informed them that he thought his management had updated his whereabouts at the time.
AIU then wrote to the athlete seeking a detailed explanation of his whereabouts. Kiprop's management explained that he had not informed the persons responsible for filing updates that he had moved out of the camp.
Third Whereabout Failure
The DCO and his assistant arrived at his new address on December 27, 2023, at 6:50 pm. The officers searched the area for 60 minutes but were unable to find the correct gate.
After writing to Kiprop, he explained by indicating that he had gone home for Christmas and had forgotten to inform the representative about changing his whereabouts information.
Consequences
After reviewing the three periods, AIU determined that the athlete had violated the Anti-Doping Rules and was banned for two years.
His results in both local and international events since December 27, 2023, were disqualified and as a result, the unit ordered him to forfeit his medals, titles and prize money.
"The Athlete has accepted the above Consequences for her Anti-Doping Rule Violation and has expressly waived his right to have those Consequences determined by the Disciplinary Tribunal at a hearing," read part of the statement.
