EPO expose proves doctors are the problem- Kiprop, Kemboi

Beijing 2008 Olympics and three-time men 1500m world champion, Asbel Kiprop and veteran multiple steeplechase titleholder, Ezekiel Kemboi, believe the latest damning German TV, ARD and Sunday Times documentary proves local medics are to be blamed for the doping crisis in the country.

Kiprop who is preparing for his third Olympics after failing to defend his title in London 2012 when he was struck by a hamstring injury, urged authorities to take stern action against doctors peddling banned drugs to Kenyan athletes.

The Daegu 2011, Moscow 2013 and Beijing 2015 world champion was reacting to news that Kenyan and British athletes were supplied with banned blood booster, EPO at a camp in Iten in a report that’s due to generate more heat on Kenyan runners including himself at next month’s Olympics.

“The action we need is against those local doctors” Kiprop wrote on his Facebook page adding; “From this documentary I guess what have always been saying that local physicians are indeed behind doping problems we are facing.”

The lanky athlete has been a vocal advocate against doping after he was denied the chance to celebrate his Olympics gold medal at the iconic Bird’s Nest in 2008 by convicted Bahraini drug cheat, Rashid Ramzy who crossed the line ahead of the Kenyan.

He is among the top Rosa Associati athletes who have slammed the arrest and arraignment of their manager, Federico Rosa, in court to face charges related to doping in their camps in Kamarin, Kapsabet and Kaptagat in northern Kenya.

-‘Baba Yao’ agrees-

Men 3000m steeplechase king Kemboi called on the prosecution of the arrested medics as well as the athletes involved.

Speaking on phone, the veteran two-time Olympics and four-time steeplechase titleholder nicknamed Baba Yao (The Father) added the medics and athletes busted by the expose have crucial information that could lead to the arrests of others involved in the vice.

He admitted that indeed some Kenyan athletes could be doping as he claims some are blatantly declaring, “Wakipata watakula (If they get the dope, they will use),”

He said if the issue is not addressed Kenyan athletes would never be trusted again and doubts would follow every victory at major international competition.

In reacting to the same, national head coach Jullius Kirwa reiterated Kenyan athletes are clean and the exposé is malicious and aimed at demoralizing the team as they prepare for the Olympic games.

The angry Kirwa said the German journalist, Hajo Seppelt, is out to spoil for Kenya adding that he has never witnessed any incidents of doping while in camp with the athletes in his decade-long tenure at the job.

Kirwa announced they were working with Athletics Kenya (AK) with a view of barring scribes intending to visit the team’s camp for interviews.

Report by Michael Bowen