Kiprop lays it all bare in first ever interview after tweets uproar

Three-time World 1500m champion Asbel Kiprop has hailed the Inspector General (IG) of Police Hillary Mutyambai for the big role he played when he was going through a tough time after IAAF handed him four-year ban over doping.

Disturbed by the ban, Kiprop on April 27 posted a series of disturbing messages on social media which also attracted the attention of Mutyambai who went on to meet the athlete two days later at his offices in Nairobi.

In a wide-ranging interview with our sister station Chamgei FM, which broadcasts in Kalenjin language, Kiprop was full of praise for Mutyambai who he says came at his hour of need.

“The IG is a great leader and actually he is like a father figure to me and more so he worked in intelligence and he can actually tell a person who is talking the truth and false. He listened to me and advised me accordingly. I may not reveal more but I can tell you for sure that the meeting proved to be a turning point to me,” said Kiprop.

Kiprop tweets which shocked the world came barely a week after IAAF through the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) – a body mandated to oversee sports integrity issues –  banned Kiprop for four years after testing positive to blood boosting substance Erythropoietin (EPO).

The 29-year-old revealed that he was bitter with the sport he loved dearly but was fast turning against him despite trying to prove his innocence.

“I had been stretched to my limits and on that specific day I felt bitter in that I did not want anything associated with athletics including my job at the National Police Service (NPS) but I thank my employer (NPS) for standing with me and offering counselling services too,” Kiprop revealed.

Kiprop also went on to disclose how he received the news on his ban and how he struggled to handle the turn of events in his life.

“I remember it was during the Easter holiday and I was on church on that Saturday and when I was going through the bible in my phone that is when I saw the news of my ban. Immediately I left and headed straight to my car where I stayed until the end of the service. I was heavily shocked that I didn’t talk for close to 10 days,” revealed Kiprop.

Not Quitting 

Despite the ban, Kiprop is set to appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) as he fights to get back to track.

“We are going to challenge the case and I am hopeful justice will prevail as I am targeting to compete in next year’s Olympic Games,” said Kiprop.

The 2008 Olympic champion also said he is not thinking about retirement anytime soon even if he loses the appeal.

“No, I will not just go that way with my name tainted and if I do not get justice I will just persevere and continue training and resume my race before I retire in an honourable manner the way I envisage,” added Kiprop.

With the ban backdated to February 3, 2018, the athlete has already served more than a year of it with some calling for him to just see out the remaining period and return back strongly perhaps in road races but he thinks otherwise.

“First of all, whose road races are you going to compete in? World Marathon Majors do not allow anyone implicated in doping to compete in their races. Similarly, a person who is sure he didn’t dope won’t tire out seeking justice,” Kiprop equipped.

Despite his tribulations, Kiprop maintains that he is still an advocate against the menace urging athletes to always adhere to clean sport.

“Remember I was the first to advocate for doping to be criminalized and my stand remains the same. I urge athletes especially juniors to maintain clean sports and avoid the use of supplements , just use natural food,” said Kiprop.