In a startling turn of events, the once-celebrated New Zealand Olympic runner, Zane Robertson, has found himself in the midst of a shocking controversy. The athlete, who was already serving an eight-year ban from track and field, has been arrested in Kenya on allegations of sexual assault and a startling discovery of an unlicensed AK-47 assault rifle at his residence in the heart of the East African nation.
Robertson, who made headlines when he and his twin brother, Jake, moved to Kenya as teenagers to chase their dreams of becoming long-distance running champions, is now facing a grave legal battle. The 33-year-old athlete's fall from grace began when he tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing substance EPO and concocted a fabricated story about a COVID-19 vaccination mishap to explain his doping test failure.
The latest allegations against Robertson have sent shockwaves through the global sporting community. The incident revolves around a party held at his home in Iten, Kenya, where a woman has come forward, claiming she was sexually assaulted during the event. The local authorities wasted no time, securing a court order to detain Robertson for five days while they conduct a thorough investigation. He appeared in court on Thursday, with the likelihood of formal charges looming once the inquiry concludes.
What adds a sinister twist to this tale is the discovery of an unlicensed AK-47 and 23 rounds of ammunition within Robertson's residence during a search by the police. It's reported that initially, the occupants resisted the police entry, making this revelation all the more perplexing.
Robertson's career, once glittering with promise, had seen him win a bronze medal in the 5,000 meters at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and compete in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. However, his performance in Tokyo left much to be desired, as he finished outside the top 30 in the marathon event.
As the world watches this unfolding saga, the sports community is left to grapple with the astonishing fall of a once-celebrated athlete into a web of legal troubles that may have far-reaching consequences for his future and the reputation of New Zealand athletics on the global stage.