After shocking reports of suspected murder and suicide threats, a family meeting is set to be held today (Monday) in Simat village, Uasin Gishu county in an effort to help embattled former Olympic and world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop.
Kiprop vented his anger on social media following a four-year ban by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA).
Veteran athletics coach David Leting yesterday (Sunday) that everything is now under control and there is no cause for alarm because close friends and family members have reached out to Kiprop for counselling.
“We have reached out to those close to Kiprop and I can say he is alright. We hope a meeting with his immediate family members today will help to get him strong again because we adore him and the glory he brought to us,” said Leting.
Kiprop, who is also a police constable, took to Twitter at the weekend to vent his frustrations and anger, daring his National Police Service to sack him and withdraw his firearm before he uses it to “earn justice”.
The 2008 Olympic Champion found himself in a rather defensive situation after the IAAF banned him for four years over what it termed as consumption of performance-enhancing substances.
“I pray to National Police Service to dismiss me now. Before I use their machinery to earn myself justice. Kindly, IAAF come take your medals. I don’t need any on my house wall,” he posted Saturday afternoon.
Kiprop was charged by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), acting on behalf of IAAF, with violations the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules.
Kiprop, through his lawyer Katwa Kigen, had put a vigorous appeal at the IAAF Disciplinary Tribunal in London.