Jepchirchir's doping case shakes Kenyan athletics

Kenyan runners have reacted to the provisional suspension of another athlete from their country over doping. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced that former New York Marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir tested positive for EPO, a banned substance that increases the blood's capacity to carry oxygen, in a sample taken before she won the Sydney Marathon. The athlete's manager expressed regret over the situation and argued that an athlete who uses a banned substance should be disqualified.

Defending men's champion Benson Kipruto said he found the situation very shameful. Kipruto said that the involvement of such a well-known name could damage the reputation of athletes not only in Kenya but around the world. He also called for more intensive testing of elite athletes ahead of the World Marathon Majors and said he was willing to give up his own appearance fee for this purpose.

Over the past few years, more than 140 Kenyan athletes have received doping sanctions since the AIU was established in 2017. Jepchirchir's case came to light a few weeks after it was announced that Nairobi will host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, adding a new source of shame for the country. Athletics Kenya announced that it will not compromise on its zero-tolerance policy.

The athlete has the right to request analysis of her B sample. New York's defending women's champion Hellen Obiri said the report showed that doping controls are working, but that it would be wrong to blame anyone before the B sample result is known. Obiri said that if the claim proves true, it would be very bad news for Kenyans.