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The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has handed Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop a four-year ban.
The three-time World 1500m champion has been handed the penalty after testing positive for the banned substance EPO.
In a statement, AIU says the Kenyan runner was found culpable of using the prohibited substance in an out of competition test carried out in November 2017.
“Analysis of the sample collected from the athlete on 27 November 2017 demonstrated the presence of EPO. Analysis of the B sample confirmed the adverse analytical finding."
"EPO is a prohibited substance included in section 2 of the WADA 2017 Prohibited List, Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics,” part of the statement reads.
Kiprop, who was provisionally suspended in February 2018, has maintained his innocence.
Last month, Kiprop and his attorney Katwa Kigen traveled to the United Kingdom for a final decision, but the verdict was deferred for the fourth time.
“None of the medications disclosed by the athlete on the DCF contains EPO and none of them could have caused the Adverse Analytical Finding. The presence of EPO in the sample, therefore, remains as valid evidence in support of the charge against the athlete for the presence and use of EPO,” AIU's statement adds.
The ban means the 29-year-old middle-distance athlete will be stripped off all the honors he achieved since November 27th, 2017.
“The athletes results from the date of anti-doping violation November 27, 2017, until the date of his provisional suspension February 3, 2018, shall be disqualified with all consequences, including the forfeiture of any medals, titles, awards, points, prize, and appearance money,” AIU notes.
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I hope this serves as a warning to young up and coming athletes. Kenya has enough talent to not do this BS.
This is very shameful, after he himself was awarded a gold medal after the Olympic winner was striped of same for doping...
It would have been better if he had just accepted his mistake,and vowed to correct it other than denying the evidence against him. First he claimed that the sample collectors doctored his sample after he refused to bribe them.It probably was the other way round...
In 2016 Olympics, Asbel performed poorly.And even before that his performance was not consistent on the positive side.
To me I personally believe that he had "hit the wall" so to speak,and with the young lions like Elija Manangoi,and Timothy Cheruiyot dangerously threatening his throne,somebody advised him to use performance enhancement drugs. Terrible mistake.
So far,137 Kenyans have been banned for doping.Last week despite heavy warnings and enlightment one young Ruto was caught doping.They dont seem to listen. The risk is not worth it.
Already as it is, the good name Kenyan athletes have for long enjoyed has been tainted,and Kenya is still on the IAAF-dope watch,after Jemima Sumgong,and RIta Jeptoo were caught doping in their marathon winnings.
It it bad enough to cheat while in Kenya,but once you hit the international scene,chances of being caught is greatly enhanced.
This cancer that has permeated into sports from other business,and government sectors has to be eradicated immediately,otherwise Kenya will be banned from international participation.
Folk this is serious stuff. We have alot of clean athletes making apretty good living from sports,and we have to protect them.
China recently imposed a life term ban on 3 runners who were caught doping. We should do the same.We have alot of potential ,and proven runners that if we banned afew for life,our representation in sports will still be intact.
Therefore,if the relevant bodies,and the government is serious about controlling,or eradicating doping in sports, ban dopers for life.This is the only way to clean our already soiled name.My two cents.