Disgraced marathon champion Rita Jeptoo demands Sample B test to prove innocence

Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo victorious after winning the Boston Marathon

Nairobi, Dec 16: Disgraced Boston and Chicago marathon champion Rita Jeptoo is maintaining her innocence over doping and has requested for a sample B test.

Jeptoo's "A" sample taken in an out-of-competition test in Kenya Sept 25 showed traces of the blood-boosting drug Erythropoietin (EPO), reports Xinhua.

Athletics Kenya (AK) Monday released a list of nine athletes who have been suspended or are suspected to be involved in doping. Jeptoo, however, will have to undergo a sample B test to try and ascertain her innocence.

"Athletics Kenya would like to report that a meeting of the AK Medical and Anti-doping Commission was held Dec 10. Following the meeting the AK Medical and Anti-doping Commission looked at the recent and pending doping cases and the following was agreed and communicated to the concerned athletes," said a statement from AK.

The list has 2013 Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon, in China, Viola Chelangat Kimetto. Joyce Jemutai Kiplimo winner at the Yangzhou Jianzen International Half Marathon, held in Yangzhou, China in April, Jeptoo and Philip Kibiwot Kandie, winner of Media Marathon BAM Max Tott held in Guatemala City in January.

Chelangat's urine sample that was collected in competition during the Macau Galaxy Entertainment International Marathon in December 2013, revealed the presence of prohibited substance Norandosterone.

"Following the hearings and upon evaluating the details of the case in consultation with the IAAF, Athletics Kenya has handed Chelangat a two-year sanction in reference to IAAF Rule 40.11 (b). The sanction is effective from Oct 12 this year," said the statement.

On Kiplimo, AK noted that her urine sample collected in competition during the Yangzhou Jianzen International Half Marathon April 20 showed the presence of prohibited substance Norandosterone. Kiplimo was handed two-year ban starting April 20 this year.

Philip Kibiwot's urine sample, collected in competition during the Media Marathon BAM Max Tott held in Guatemala City in January, has not been concluded and the case will be discussed Dec 18.

However, Jeptoo, one of the elite runners known to have been caught, maintained her innocence and asked for a repeat examination of her sample. She will provide a sample B for testing Dec 18.

"Jeptoo's case involved the urine sample collected out of competition in Eldoret Sept 25. The sample provided revealed the presence of prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO). The first hearing for this case was held Nov 4," the statement said.

"The athlete applied for the testing of the B sample which will be conducted Dec 17-19. Athletics Kenya will resume working on this case once the results of the B sample are announced."

In addition AK has summoned Maunga James Nyakabira, Ndirangu Alice, Elizabeth Jebet Chelagat, Isaac Kimaiyo Kemboi and Bernard Mwendia Muthoni to appear before the AK Medical and Antidoping Commission. They are to report to AK headquarters in Nairobi on Dec 18.

"Each athlete has been requested to get in touch with the head office in reference to particular issues revolving doping cases," said the statement.

Concerning the negative media coverage on allegations carried by the German ARD documentary, where it has been alleged that 150 athletes among them 25 Kenyans had suspicious blood values and were not subjected to proper targeted testing afterwards, AK said it is yet to receive any formal communication to act upon.

However, AK will assume the position taken by the IAAF, which denied allegations of cover up and termed claims as unethical.