NAIROBI, Kenya, December 5- Asbel Kiprop will finally officially receive his gold medal from the 2008 Beijing Olympics at a luncheon in Nairobi on Wednesday.
In a press release on Monday, National Olympics Committee-Kenya (Nock) secretary general, F. K Paul, confirmed Kiprop’s belated coronation.
“Asbel Kiprop will receive his 2008 Olympics gold medal this Wednesday at a luncheon that will begin at 11:30am at the Intercontinental Hotel,” his brief statement read.
At the Beijing Games, Kiprop ran 3:33.11 to trail Bahraini athlete and Helsinki 2005 Worlds champion, Rashid Ramzi across the line but the result did not stand after the latter was excluded from the sport for two years after his test came back positive for the banned blood-boosting substance CERA.
“I am happy because I have gotten what is mine. It was unfair to compete with a person who was using drugs but at least there is some sense of justice.”
“I am disappointed that he denied Kenya a chance to have its national anthem played at the stadium. It could have been more special if I had won it in the stadium rather than to be awarded later,” Kiprop said at the time.
The lanky runner, 22, who burst to the metric mile scene with victory at the 2007 All Africa Games in Algiers while still a teenager, soared to the world title in Daegu this summer.
In South Korea, Kiprop returned 3:35.68 to edge compatriot and Commonwealth titleholder Silas Kiplagat to the gold.
Communications service provider, Safaricom has partnered with Nock to organise the ceremony where the Kaptinga, Uasin Gishu born runner will get his Beijing Olympics due.
His father, David Kebenei finished fourth at the 1987 All Africa Games two years before Kiprop was born.