Former Olympic and world 1,500m champion reportedly tests positive for EPO

Asbel Kiprop of Kenya has reportedly tested positive for EPO. Sportsmail said this afternoon that, “a man widely regarded as the finest 1,500m runner of the last decade failed an out of competition test.” 

Kiprop was only 19 years old when he won his Olympic title in 2008 after the winner, Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain was disqualified for failing a drug test. Kiprop is also a three-time World Champion in the event and a qualifier for both the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. His personal best in the event is 3:26.69, the fifth fastest 1,500m all-time. 

Kenya has faced scrutiny over the past years for being too lenient on drugs. A 2016 report showed that 40 Kenyan athletes tested positive in the four years previous. Marathon star Rita Jeptoo was among those athletes. Jeptoo was the 2013 and 2014 Boston Marathon Champion and course record holder. Since testing positive for EPO Jeptoo was stripped of the course record and both titles. She was banned for four years in 2014. 

Kiprop’s reported positive test has yet to be confirmed by his agent or by Athletics Kenya.