Kenyan Athlete Sarah Chepchirchir Banned for 8 Years Over Doping

By Samuel Ouma

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has handed a Kenyan marathoner, Sarah Chepchirchir, an 8-year ban for violating anti-doping regulations for the second.

The 39-year-old was banned after she was found guilty of using a prohibited substance, Testosterone, and all her awards from November 5, 2023, were disqualified.

In a statement, AIU said the Athlete provided a urine sample after participating in the Bangsaen42 Chonburi Marathon in Chonburi, Thailand.

”Analysis of the Sample by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Bangkok, Thailand  revealed the presence of Metabolites of Testosterone consistent with exogenous origin,” said AIU.

Testosterone is a Prohibited Substance under the WADA 2023 Prohibited List in the category S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids.

In light of the analytical findings, Chepchirchir was summoned to answer the charge of violating anti-doping regulations. Unfortunately, she did not respond by January 5, 2024.

“On December 22 2023, in accordance with Article 5.1.2.1 ISRM, based on the Adverse Analytical Finding, the AIU issued the Athlete with a Notice of Allegation of Anti-Doping Rule Violations, imposing a Provisional Suspension (effective immediately) and, inter alia, invited the Athlete to provide a detailed written explanation for the Adverse Analytical Findings by no later than January 5 2024. The Athlete failed to respond by the January 5 2024 deadline," added AIU.

The Tokyo Marathon 2017 winner had the opportunity to reduce his suspension by one year by formally acknowledging the charge. Still, he missed the deadline of February 11.c

According to the AIU (Athletics Integrity Unit), Chepchirchir had previously been ineligible for four years, from February 6, 2019, to February 5, 2023, due to an anomaly in her blood passport.