This archive report was first published on 8 August 2020.
Monaco's Stade Louis II was set to host a thrilling 3,000 meters steeplechase race, with world champion Conseslus Kipruto among the top contenders. However, the 25-year-old's preparations have been derailed after he tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday at Eldoret's Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.
According to Kipruto, he was tested on Thursday and received the positive results the same day. He expressed his disappointment, stating, "It's indeed sad that the test came back positive. I don't know where I got it because I have been following the guidelines set by the Ministry of Health," in an interview with Nation Sport on Saturday.
As a result of his positive test, Kipruto has been ruled out of the Monaco leg of the Diamond League, which was scheduled to take place next week. The athlete had been cleared to compete in the event after receiving special dispensation visas to travel to the Schengen area, despite Kenya being among countries whose nationals have not been cleared to travel into European Union nations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kenya's Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei had intervened on behalf of the athletes, securing their clearance to travel. However, the athletes were still required to undergo a Covid-19 test 72 hours before the trip.
With Kipruto out of the competition, the rest of the Kenyan contingent is expected to travel to Monaco on Monday. The world record in the steeplechase event is held by Kenya-born Qatari Saif Saaeed Shaheen (formerly known as Stephen Cherono) at seven minutes, 53.63 seconds.
