Kenya’s ex world marathon champion arrested for drinking during curfew

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Kenya’s former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang has been released on bail after being charged for breaking a nationwide curfew imposed to control the spread of coronavirus.

Kipsang, who claimed the world record during the 2013 Berlin marathon, is a police officer.

He pleaded guilty in a court on Friday after a night in police cells and was released on bail of 5,000 shillings ($47; £43).

He is currently under provisional suspension from the World Integrity Anti-Doping Unit (AIU).

“We arrested Kipsang and nine others, including one of the administrators of the county at the Keelu Resort club drinking and playing pool at 10pm,” Iten county police commander John Mwinzi was quoted asa saying by news agency AFP.

“This is a very serious offence. These people are respected and they are supposed to lead by example and not breaking the government orders,” Mr Mwinzi added.

Kenya has imposed a 19:00-05:00 curfew in a bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Mr Mwinzi also ordered the arrest of 12 athletes, including two foreigners, found training in the western Iten area, which attracts elite Kenyan and foreign athletes who flock to the small town, located at 2,400m above sea level, for altitude training, AFP reports.

The group had disobeyed directives on social distance, Mr Mwinzi said.

(c) BBC Africa

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