Athletics

Kenya: AIU Slaps Kenyan Marathoner With Two-Yr Ban for Doping

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) have slapped Kenyan marathoner Caren Cheptoek with a two-year ban after testing optimistic for a banned substance.

The company reveals that the 31-year-old examined optimistic for methylprednisolone within the aftermath of her second place end on the Taipei Marathon in December final 12 months.

“On 27 January 2025, the World Anti-Doping Company (“WADA”) accredited laboratory in Tokyo, Japan (the “Laboratory”) reported an Hostile Analytical Discovering within the Pattern primarily based on the presence of Methylprednisolone (the “Hostile Analytical Discovering”),” the company stated of their report.

Subsequently, Cheptoek claimed to have taken a number of drugs, which she suspected may have been answerable for the banned substance.

Nevertheless, upon evaluation of the drugs, AIU revealed that none of them contained methylprednisolone.

“On 14 February 2025, the Athlete responded to the AIU by e-mail stating that she had been taking drugs which she believed had triggered the Hostile Analytical Discovering. Nevertheless, following evaluate of the knowledge offered, the AIU knowledgeable the Athlete that the drugs that the Athlete had referred to was not methylprednisolone and that there was no proof to point that it contained Methylprednisolone,” they stated.

The athlete lastly admitted the cost, noting that the banned substance could have been in one of many dietary supplements she drank throughout her lengthy runs.

“On 17 February 2025, the Athlete wrote to the AIU stating, inter alia, that she had tried to think about what she may have taken to clarify the Hostile Analytical Discovering and famous that her coaching group shared complement drinks, particularly on lengthy runs. The Athlete acknowledged that she would “settle for every part” and “signal the papers and wait on your resolution,” the AIU revealed.

Cheptoek had clocked 2:32:53 to complete second within the Taipei Marathon in what was her third podium end of the 12 months.