By Samuel Ouma
Kenyan long-distance runner Brimin Misoi Kipkorir has been handed a four-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) following a doping violation. The AIU ruling, released in April confirmed the presence of a prohibited substance in Kipkorir’s samples, leading to his suspension from all competitive athletics.
The AIU’s decision came after a thorough investigation and testing process, which detected the presence of Recombinant Erythropoietin (rEPO) and furosemide, banned substances known for enhancing endurance performance.
The 35-year-old, a notable figure in the marathon scene, was found to have violated the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, resulting in a mandatory four-year suspension.
“The Athlete has not demonstrated that the Anti-Doping Rule Violations were not intentional. Therefore, the mandatory period of Ineligibility is a period of Ineligibility of four (4) years,” read the statement released by AIU in part.
The anti-doping violation was confirmed following an out-of-competition test conducted in November 2024. Kipkorir’s sample returned an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for rEPO. According to the AIU, Kipkorir provided a urine sample on November 22 for a routine test while in Kenya.
Three weeks later, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland, revealed that the analysis of the sample showed the presence of furosemide, a prohibited substance.
Following the discovery, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) issued Kipkorir a notice of the banned substances, giving him until January 6 to respond. According to the AIU, the athlete did not respond.
A further analysis of the sample in February 2025 detected the presence of another substance, erythropoietin, which is typically used to treat kidney disease.
Initially, Kipkorir was handed a two-year ban, but the AIU cited ‘aggravating circumstances’ in his case, justifying the imposition of the maximum six-year ban.
However, since Kipkorir initially accepted the ban and it was his first offence, the AIU ultimately settled on a four-year ban.
As a result of the ban, AIU has disqualified the athlete’s results from November 22, 2024.
