Rita Jeptoo dope case hearing begins as manager testifies

Disgraced Kenyan runner Rita Jeptoo on Thursday appeared before the Athletics Kenya Doping Commission in Nairobi for her drug cheating hearing case.

Also appearing before the commission was Jeptoo’s manager Federico Rosa and coach Claudio Berardelli, both of whom have distanced themselves from the drug cheating scandal.

Her estranged husband Noah Busienei — who has implicated Jeptoo in doping offences dating back to 2011 — also testified.

Jeptoo appeared before the commission the whole morning before the rest of the summoned persons were called in to face the commission.

Rosa, who had earlier promised to reveal the person behind Jeptoo’s doping, said he had told the commission everything he knows.

“It is up to them to disclose all that I have said,” Rosa said.

FACE TWO-YEAR BAN

“This (Jeptoo’s doping) has affected me as a coach. I know what I am doing and I am at peace with myself. It is God who can judge me,” said Berardelli after he appeared before the AK body.

The commission was expected to issue the ban duration for Jeptoo after all testimonies had been heard. She faces a ban of at least two years.

Jeptoo was busted for using the banned blood-boosting hormone EPO during an out-of-competition drugs test last year and could lose all her recent titles.

She has already been denied the Sh45 million for winning the last World Marathon Majors series.

She kept her eyes to the ground and made no comment to reporters as she entered Riadha House.

Additional reporting by AFP