Jepchirchir Provisionally Suspended Over EPO

Olympic and world champion Kenyan athlete Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended from competition after testing positive for doping. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced that the 33-year-old athlete's sample contained the banned substance erythropoietin (EPO).

EPO is known as a substance that increases the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity and endurance. According to the statement, the sample was collected in Kenya in August, as part of an out-of-competition test ahead of the 2026 Sydney Marathon.

Jepchirchir had finished first at the Sydney Marathon with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes 31 seconds. The athlete will not be able to take part in races until a decision is made at the final hearing.

Jepchirchir has achieved major success in her career. She won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and finished first in the marathon at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, also held in Tokyo. She has also won the New York, Boston, London and Sydney marathons, reaching four major marathon victories.