Kenya’s marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir provisionally banned by AIU

What the report says

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir, one of the country’s best-known long-distance runners, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit after an out-of-competition sample taken in Kenya reportedly showed EPO, a banned blood-boosting substance. Al Jazeera reported that the sample was collected before her Sydney Marathon victory in August, meaning the case concerns a result from a race she later won. The AIU said the finding was an adverse analytical result, and the athlete now faces the usual disciplinary process.

Jepchirchir, 33, is a former Olympic champion and the women’s half-marathon world record holder. She has also won multiple major marathons, including Tokyo, New York, Boston, London and Sydney. In Sydney, she won the women’s race in 2:18:31, finishing well ahead of the runner-up.

Her agent said he felt terrible about the situation and argued that athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs should be disqualified. Sydney Marathon organisers said they were disappointed, but stressed that Jepchirchir is entitled to due process. They also said the case underlines their commitment to clean sport and to increased out-of-competition testing.

As background, EPO is a substance that can increase red blood cell production and improve endurance performance. The report also noted that another Kenyan marathon star, Ruth Chepngetich, was banned last year in a separate doping case.