Top Kenyan runners hit back after federation suspends management

Kenyan star distance runners from the Rosa Associati and Volare Sports stables reacted Tuesday angrily to the national federation's move to suspend their managers for six months to allow investigations into doping allegations levelled against their camps.

Speaking in the self-styled Kenya's running capital, Eldoret, the top athletes, led by former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang, termed the move as a politically instigated and malicious scheme on the part of the federation.

They further tore into Athletics Kenya (AK)'s plans of seeking temporary managers for them, saying it contravenes world governing body IAAF's rules on representation.

"The suspension of Rosa and Volare Sports, accusing them of doping, has caused unrest both locally and internationally. The act is unprofessional and it has to be proved that the mentioned firms are truly involved," Kipsang, the two-time London and New York marathon winner, read in a statement.

"It has also put the image of Kenya in a bad light ahead of major global events starting from World Relays, IAAF Diamond League series and major marathons in the world,"he added.

Beijing Olympics champion and two-time world 1500m titleholder Asbel Kiprop, who was holding brief for Italian-based Rosa group faulted the federation to punish the whole group by issuing the blanket suspension that sees both management firms unable to conduct business.

"Doping is an individual case and we never want all of us to be sucked into it,"said Kiprop. Endite