Former world record holder Kipsang suspended

Former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang has been provisionally suspended by the World Athletics body- Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

Kipsang has been handed suspension allegedly for whereabouts failure as in article 2.4 of the World Anti-Doping (WADA) code.

Similarly, the athlete has been adjudged to have contravened article of 2.5 of the WADA code that entails-tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control.

Whereabouts information gives the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) the ability to locate athletes with no notice.

Under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, any combination of three whereabouts failures (Filing Failure and/or Missed Test) within a period of 12 months constitute an anti-doping rule violation, for which the applicable sanction is 2 years’ ineligibility subject to a reduction to a minimum of one year depending on the degree of fault.

According to WADA act 2015, Tampering shall include, without limitation, intentionally interfering or attempting to interfere with a Doping Control official, providing fraudulent information to an Anti-Doping Organization or intimidating or attempting to intimidate a potential witness.

Kipsang is one of Kenya’s successful marathoners having bagged two London marathon titles (2012, 2014) and a title each in Berlin marathon (2013), New York City marathon (2014) and Tokyo marathon (2017) as well an Olympic bronze medal in 2012.

It is at the 2013 Berlin marathon that he shattered the world record by clocking 2:03:23 shaving 15 seconds off the previous record held by compatriot Patrick Makau.

The 37-year-old was recently involved in a road accident in Uasin Gishu county which he luckily escaped unhurt.