L. MathekaEyes on Asbel Kiprop as Police championship gets underway
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 12.04.22. | 13:43
The athlete is looking to represent the country in upcoming international championships in the busy 2022 calendar and beyond.
This year’s National Police Service (NPS) track and field annual meeting is set to be held on Thursday and Friday, 14 and 15 April at Kasarani Stadium.
While the meet promises exciting duels as some of the top Kenyan athletes turn out for Police, Asbel Kiprop’s return is probably one of the most anticipated in the two-day event.
I'm confident because I didn't dope.
— Asbel Kiprop 3:26 OGW. (@KipropAsbel) January 16, 2021
https://t.co/nOOXWYUiEN
The championship was initially scheduled for 12 and 13 April but changes were effected to pave way for the grand opening of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Sports Complex in Lang’ata.
Kiprop was suspended in April 2019, after being accused of taking the blood-boosting drug EPO but he has always maintained his innocence.
“I was falsely accused of doping. But I have accepted my fate, served my time and now I am ready to return to the track,” he told AFP in a recent interview.
At the fourth Athletics Kenya (AK) track and field meeting in Mumias, Kiprop elected to race in the 10,000m, finishing sixth in 29:10.82. The runner has, however, hinted at ditching his traditional 1500m race for the two-lap race or moving to the longer distances of 5000m and 10,000m entirely.
Process isn't a one day stunt. Today wearing a yellow vest there were only two behind me in an 800m heat. pic.twitter.com/rSOrPhHpI1
— Asbel Kiprop 3:26 OGW. (@KipropAsbel) March 18, 2022
After three years of no action, it will be interesting to see which race the police officer elects to race at the end of the week. His return coincides with that of his NPS teammate, 2017 1500m world champion Elijah Manang’oi who was serving a two-year ban for whereabouts violation. Manango’i took part in the police cross country and this will be his first track event for police in two years.
Kiprop became the first Kenyan to win the 1500m gold at the world championships in Daegu, South Korea in 2011.
He went on to win two more world titles in 2013 and 2015 to add to the 2008 Olympic gold medal he was awarded after the original winner, Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain was confirmed to have doped.
Always great to try & catch up with the guys in training. Heavy duty but determined. Thanks @Paulchelimo @clementlangat @RunEmilyERun pic.twitter.com/ugHUh1ZXRU
— Asbel Kiprop 3:26 OGW. (@KipropAsbel) February 16, 2022
During a press conference held last week at their headquarters at Riadha House, AK president Jack Tuwei said that Kiprop and any other athlete returning from suspension are open to competing for places in upcoming international championships.
Kiprop, in an interview with AFP, said he had undergone four out-of-competition tests since December last year and was happy to be back on the approved list of Anti-Doping Association of Kenya (ADAK) accredited athletes.
