FORMER Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop wants to prove he is a “clean athlete” after reportedly failing an out-of-competition drugs test.
The Mail claim the three-time 1500m champ tested positive for banned substance EPO.
Kiprop, 28, said: “I have been at the forefront of the fight against doping in Kenya – a fight I strongly believe in and support.
“I would not want to ruin all I have worked for since my first international race in 2007.
“I hope I can prove that I am a clean athlete in every way possible.”
Kiprop finished second at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but was awarded gold when Bahrain runner Rashid Ramzi failed a drugs test.
What is EPO?
EPO – or erythropoieten – is a hormone naturally produced by the kindeys that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.
It can be artificially produced to improve athletes’ performances by injection.
With more red blood cells in the body, more oxygen can be delivered to the muscles.
This reduces fatigue and is massively beneficial to long-distance runners.
Blood clots, heart attacks and strokes can all be suffered if too much EPO is in the body.
He ran the third fastest 1500m of all time in 2015.
The Kenyan athlete – a gold medallist at the 2011, 2013 and 2015 World Championships – is said to be arguing there was an error with a sample taken in 2017.
Kiprop’s agent, Federico Rosa, claimed he had “heard the same rumour”.
He said: “I recognise it’s a big story but if it’s true it will be very sad.”
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A spokesperson for the Athletics Integrity Unit said: “For confidentiality reasons, the AIU cannot confirm or deny a query of this kind.”
Kenya, famed for it’s long distance runners, has been shamed by a number of athletes who have tested positive for banned substances in recent years.
In 2016 they reported 40 cases dating back to 2012.
Last year, Kenya’s Jemima Sumgong tested positive for EPO and was banned for four years.
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