Kipsang says doping is like crime as he chases London marathon conquest

Olympic marathon bronze medallist Wilson Kipsang of Kenya believes doping is like crime but he downplayed the extend of the problem in Kenya ahead of the London marathon on Sunday.

Kipsang, who spoke in Nairobi on Thursday on his way to London marathon, said criminalizing doping in Kenya will help reduce its impact.

"I think there is a wrong suspension; it is just like crime. It does not mean that the whole sport and athletes are doping. We have been tested like seven times this year and we are clean and that is why we are competing in top races," he said.

Eliud Kipchoge, who defeated Kipsang in last year' s London marathon said the passing of the Anti-Doping Bill in the Kenyan parliament will now give athletes some relief knowing they will be able to compete at the Rio Olympics.

"We can now focus on training without any doubt about possible ban from the Olympics because of failing to meet the Wada code," he said.

Kenya has twice failed to meet the Wada code and was given until May 2 to pass legislation that will see greater funding and support to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and sensitization of the vice to the athletes. Kenya will also give out 6 million U.S. dollars to help carry out frequent doping test to athletes in out-of-competition in a bid to curb the vice.

Since the 2012 London Olympics, Kenya has had 43 cases confirmed and suspended for doping and four top officials have been suspended for abetting doping or taking bribes to cover it up.

"Once the President signs the bill into law next week, we will be safe. Parliament has done its part, stakeholders too did their and we all now wait for the President (Uhuru Kenyatta) to append his signature and we will be on the right books with WADA," he said.

Kipchoge leads a steller cast squad of Kenyans to the London Marathon, which the officials are using as the qualifying event for the Rio Olympics.

Alongside Kipchoge, who is also the Berlin Marathon champion, there will be Kipsang, who is Olympic bronze medalist and second finisher at both the New York and London marathon races.

There will also be New York Champion Stanley Biwott and World marathon record holder Dennis Kimetto while Ethiopia will be led by Beijing Champion Kenenisa Bekele.

The best three Kenyans will certainly secure their ticket to the Rio Olympics where they will be seeking to reclaim the title from Uganda' s Stephen Kiprotich.

Kenya last won the Olympic gold in the marathon at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Endit