Kiprop makes statement on 'doping' claim and it's wild

Do you have a link to the original statement?

[quote]I am an official official wrote:

I have noted the main media reports alleging that I have doped. I have also noted social media comments on the allegation. I vehemently deny any doping. I have remained faithful to my anti-doping convictions and I will be the last person to commit such an atrocious un-sports like thing. I recall that in 2016 I supported conviction of people guilty of doping. I have built for myself a clean sports career since 2007 and I cannot throw it away with such an act.

I am reluctantly responding to the main media and social media comments for lack of choice. The allegations are still under investigation and inquiry and I wish the comments could have awaited its finalization. I however note the overwhelming interest from all and sundry to know my reaction to the allegation. I also note that if I do not react persons of less than good will might treat it as true, and pass judgment.

On 26th November 2017 I was notified by way of telephone call from an anti-doping agent, Mr. Simon Karugu “Mburu” to be available for doping test on 27th November 2017 at my disclosed whereabouts, by then Iten. I availed myself.

Tipped off a day in advance, since when is that the way its supposed to work!?

Clerk wrote:

Do you have a link to the original statement?

See it now. Nevermind.

I was notified a day before WTF?! wrote:

[quote]I am an official official wrote:

Tipped off a day in advance, since when is that the way its supposed to work!?

That has been SOP for several years now. It was first discussed here a while ago. Twitter showed athletes talking about OOC controls in Kenya in the context that it wasn't lawless and a free-for-all (I believe Reid Coolsaet? Or one of the Robinsons? One of the white guys training there).

The forum blew up around the fact that athletes knew in advance. Renato Canova got on the board to explain that because of logistics, of the region athletes were given notice and then had to be at a specific location the next day to give their sample. I might be mis-remembering the specifics. It had to do with geography, and transportation to the airport, I believe.

This was several years ago.

Link to the thread:

I wonder what would have happen if Kiprop presents evidence (call register on phone etc) to the IAAF of the 'warning' call, that should invalidate the whole thing IMHO. Not necessarily the best way to clear himself but it puts a big question on the whole thing, even without the payments issue.

Something's weird here. I have a need for money that is "known to me." If I ask, will Kiprop M-Pesa me his best guess as to how much?

I'm guessing no.

If there's a record of the transaction that should be easy to demonstrate. Burden is then on Kiprop to explain why he randomly wires guys money just because they ask. They may well have been shaking him down but for Kiprop to claim he had no idea what the payment was for is ridiculous.

Abdoujaparov wrote:

Something's weird here. I have a need for money that is "known to me." If I ask, will Kiprop M-Pesa me his best guess as to how much?

I'm guessing no.

If there's a record of the transaction that should be easy to demonstrate. Burden is then on Kiprop to explain why he randomly wires guys money just because they ask. They may well have been shaking him down but for Kiprop to claim he had no idea what the payment was for is ridiculous.

Maybe, but not necessarily. Having lived in Africa for a couple years, I can say that things like this are pretty common, and handled very differently from the US and other Western cultures. It's not unusual at all for an acquaintance to casually ask for money, and people do not take offense. To be honest, of all the cultural differences I encountered during my time there, this one stood out the most.

Not saying Kiprop's story is accurate, but this sort of exchange of money isn't out of the norm.

Well Kiprop's response is bonkers. LRC Note we're posting Kiprop's full statement here and have our article below

MY STATEMENT

ASBEL KIPROP

3RD MAY 2018

NOTICE OF SAMPLE COLLECTION

1. I have noted the main media reports alleging that I have doped. I have also noted social media comments on the allegation. I vehemently deny any doping. I have remained faithful to my anti-doping convictions and I will be the last person to commit such an atrocious un-sports like thing. I recall that in 2016 I supported conviction of people guilty of doping. I have built for myself a clean sports career since 2007 and I cannot throw it away with such an act.
2. I am reluctantly responding to the main media and social media comments for lack of choice. The allegations are still under investigation and inquiry and I wish the comments could have awaited its finalization. I however note the overwhelming interest from all and sundry to know my reaction to the allegation. I also note that if I do not react persons of less than good will might treat it as true, and pass judgment.
3. On 26th November 2017 I was notified by way of telephone call from an anti-doping agent, Mr. Simon Karugu “Mburu” to be available for doping test on 27th November 2017 at my disclosed whereabouts, by then Iten. I availed myself. Messers Paul Scott and Simon Karugu “Mburu” came into the house alone being Doping Control Officers. I know them from previous samplings. They arrived when I was still sleeping at 7.50am to collect the urine sample, and left slightly past 8.20am after the urine sample was sealed. I declared my flu medication when the sample was being taken. I was in the house with a house-mate, a Mr. Kevin.
4. It is to be noted that under World Anti-Doping Rules I was not supposed to be given notice of the intended visit to collect the sample, especially where the test is “out of competition” like this one.
5. The sample was collected when I was not in any competition. This sampling is called “out-of-competition”. My next and planned competition was to be on 4th May 2018 in Doha Qatar.
6. If I had wanted to dope then it would be less than clever to dope 7 months (in November 2017) long before my planned competition [in May 2018], when I would need the boost.
7. Further if I had any dope substance in my system then I would not make myself available for the sampling on 27th November 2017 having been given notice on 26th November 2017 of the intended visit for the sample collection. I could choose to miss the collection without any consequences. Consequences for missing sampling meeting arise only after missing 3 times. I had not missed previously.
8. I am told EPO is put into the body using injection. The last time I had an injection was in 2014 when I was given a yellow fever vaccination before travelling to Bahamas for a competition.

Monetary extortion

1. After the Doping Control Officers [Mr. Paul Scott and Mr. Simon Karugu “Mburu”] arrived at 7.50am, and after I had given them the urine sample Mr. Simon Karugu “Mburu” asked [for the first time in their visits] if I could give them some money. He did not specify how much they needed. At 8.11am I forwarded to them money through Mr. Simon Karugu “Mburu”’s phone using M-Pesa. As a police officer I found it wise to send by M-Pesa for record. I did not at the time expect that the request for the money had anything to do with the sample. At that time I did not see the money as inducement or bribe for anything. I gave it in good faith thinking they may have some need known to them. In retrospect I now clearly see the money as having a relation with the sample collected on that date, and even the irregular advance notice I was given. Mr. Simon Karugu “Mburu” acknowledged verbally and audibly receiving the M-pesa money while he was seated next to Mr. Paul Scott.
2. I remain perplexed on how my innocent sample could turn positive on the only time when money was extorted from me. It is not beyond my suspicion that my sample turned positive because I might have remitted less money than I was expected to remit.
3. After I had supplied the required urine into initial vessel I left the sample on the table where Paul Scott and Simon karugu “Mburu” were seated to go to my bedroom to look for cash money upon their request. However I subsequently decided to use M-Pesa. When I went to my bedroom to collect the cash I left the urine sample, open, on the sitting room, where as stated above, messers Paul Scott and Mr. Simon Karugu were seated with the samples. The M-Pesa was delivered when I was still at the bedroom.
4. I don’t know if my sample was interfered with while I was at the bedroom.
5. I don’t know if the amount I remitted could have been less than what was expected from me, and if it caused annoyance that may have resulted in the contamination of the sample.
6. After I came out of the bedroom my urine sample was split into 2 other containers [sample “A” and sample “B”] then sealed at 8.20am. Both Doping Officers left shortly after sealing the sample at 8.20am. They left probably around 8.30am.
7. The money I was asked for was remitted 9 minutes [at 8.11am] before the samples were sealed [at 8.20am].

I have been asked to admit and be rewarded with ambassadorial role

1. When I was told for the 1st time that my sample turned positive on 3rd February 2018 [4 months after sample collection on 27thNovember 2017] I was extremely shocked. I was however very confident the mistake alleging I doped would be noted and I would be cleared. The nightmare has continued. However my faith in God, my trust in the goodness of humanity, and my clear conscience continue to sustain me. I do not seek any favors on the matter. I only yearn for fairness and justice beyond all schemes, politics, and machinations. I insist I am innocent even if I am forsaken.
2. I was told the process of investigation and evaluating the question of whether or not there was any dope in my sample would be confidential. I have seen one of the media outlet’s reference to AIU. I am therefore surprised at how the handlers of the issue have let it out to the main media and social media and to subject me to mob trial with a narrative designed to reflect me as guilty without my side of the story being reflected including all the above I have explained.
3. I have been asked to admit that I doped so that I would be made an ambassador of I.A.A.F on anti-doping. I have refused, as this is not only untrue but also a fraud. I do not need absolution on the allegations.
4. I have also noted individuals I held in the highest esteem lie out rightly about what they did and what they saw. This includes as to [how many people came into my house on 27th November 2017, the money received, that I was not given advance notice, about the open sample left in their care, about a 3rd party holding the lid to the sample’s vessel, where I was in the morning of the collection of the sample etc]. Others have suppressed clear facts very unfortunately.
5. I pray to be given the benefit of doubt even as I am cast into this lonely isolation. I know it may be impossible to defend myself from any accuser who has made up his mind and who would view my protestations as a mere denial. I however pray that all and sundry of good-will do not hasten to summarily make negative assumptions and judgment about me. I grave to be seen for who I am, what I have stood for and what I represent. However for the determined, before God and before man, I am innocent. I did not dope. I do not labour under the weight of the shame of doping.

_ENDS_

ASBEL KIPROP

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Original tweet linked to:

Having read the statement, I find Kiprop's story somewhat believable (see my post above). Not saying I believe him, but the story is believable, if that makes sense.

However, for the cynical observer, there is another way to interpret this story (and the exchange of money Kiprop referenced): The collectors come to the house. Kiprop pees in the cup and tells the collectors, "Guys, I'm screwed. I've got EPO in my system and I need you to help me out. Can I wire you some money?" The collectors promise to fix things for him. He wires the money. But the collectors made a promise they couldn't keep, because it's out of their hands after the cup is sealed.

Again, I have no idea what actually happened, but both scenarios seem plausible.

Kiprop statement makes me think he is clean.

Alright, I'll take your word for that. Is "BK" Brooklyn?

Not bonkers. That's consistent with the way things go in Kenya. The KAA is corrupt..

bkrunner wrote:

Having read the statement, I find Kiprop's story somewhat believable (see my post above). Not saying I believe him, but the story is believable, if that makes sense.

However, for the cynical observer, there is another way to interpret this story (and the exchange of money Kiprop referenced): The collectors come to the house. Kiprop pees in the cup and tells the collectors, "Guys, I'm screwed. I've got EPO in my system and I need you to help me out. Can I wire you some money?" The collectors promise to fix things for him. He wires the money. But the collectors made a promise they couldn't keep, because it's out of their hands after the cup is sealed.

Again, I have no idea what actually happened, but both scenarios seem plausible.

The KAA has a history of corruption and attempts at extotion. This seems more believable then Kiprop would take the test with drugs in his system after he was given notice beforehand.

I posited in another thread that an AK official might be trying to extort money from Kiprop. This has happened before.

I'm not too concerned about the "I just gave them money when they asked for it" claim. Like the above poster said, it is a different cultures, and I bet some Kenyan posters here could help shed more light on that.

But there have been no previous history of extortion with regards to athletes and officials. Only bribery.

We do know that anti-doping officials in Kenya have been found asking for and accepting bribes. We found this out in the rash of positive test results.

-Michael Rotich was arrested for accepting bribes for 12-hour notice of drug tests

-Issac Mwangi asked for bribes to decrease the bans of athletes

-Paul Simbolei claims marathoners' sanctions were reduced up after a bribe

I also remember a story about female athletes who were offered to use pregnancy as an excuse not to be tested, or explain away a positive test, or something like that.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-37034252

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/feb/22/iaaf-suspends-isaac-mwangi-athletics-kenya

https://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/11/16/iaaf-athletics-kenya-corruption-doping-scandal-marathoners

On the one hand, I have no problem believing DCO is corrupt in Kenya. It is easy for me to believe that DCO expect payment in return for advance notification of tests and may expect other bribes along the way. I would not be surprised if Kiprop's story is true.

On the other, why would Kiprop give an indeterminate amount of money to Mburu "in good faith thinking they may have some need known to them" without discussing or agreeing how much to give him? "He did not specify how much they needed" seems fishy.

Too bad we'll never know.

Has anyone provided a valid explanation as to why Kiprop would be taking EPO 7 months before competition.

And why is the result being leaked instead of being officially announced?

And why are they leaking the info 7 months after the test was taken. Does it usually take this long?