Kiprop WAS warned of dope test — but failed it

ATHLETICS’ anti- doping officials have admitted that Asbel Kiprop was warned in advance about an out-ofcompetition drugs test — but maintain that the former Olympic champion has been charged with a rule violation after testing positive for blood-boosting drug EPO.

Yesterday’s statement by the Athletics Integrity Unit, in response to Kiprop’s astonishing claims that he was the victim of corrupt doping officers, confirmed that the three-times 1500m world champion was tipped off that he would be tested in Kenya last November.

The AIU also maintain that his positive test has not been invalidated, dismissing his accusation that his sample was contaminated.

Kiprop claimed he was a victim of extortion by the doping officers and that he paid money via internet transfer, using an app on his mobile phone, but there is no reference to this in the AIU’s statement.

They do, however, dismiss his claim that he was offered an ambassadorial role at the IAAF if he confessed to cheating.

The AIU accept that the advance warning, given by a doping control assistant who was ‘known to Mr Kiprop’, is an extremely serious matter.

In their statement they admitted that it ‘ may constitute a departure from the requirements of the International Standard for Testing and Investigations’.

Sportsmail revealed on Wednesday that Kiprop had failed a drugs test.

He responded by denying any wrongdoing and making a series of extraordinary allegations.

Kiprop is a police officer in his native Kenya and insisted that he would be ‘ the last person to commit such an atrocious un- sports like thing’.

Kiprop claims he was ‘extremely shocked’ when he was told his sample was positive.

He said: ‘I have been asked to admit that I doped so that I would be made an ambassador of IAAF on anti- doping. I have refused, as this is not only untrue but also a fraud.

‘I do not need absolution on the allegations.’