Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir banned for doping

The athletics world has been shaken by the news that Kenyan marathoner Peres Jepchirchir, Olympic and world champion, has returned a positive doping test. The 33-year-old athlete has been provisionally suspended from competition until a decision is made.

According to a statement from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the banned substance erythropoietin (EPO), which increases the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity and endurance, was found in the athlete's sample. The sample was collected in Kenya in August, as part of an out-of-competition control carried out before the 2026 Sydney Marathon.

Jepchirchir had won the Sydney Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 18 minutes and 31 seconds. This performance will also be reassessed within the framework of the decision to be taken at the final hearing.

The Kenyan athlete won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and, in 2025, won the marathon at the World Athletics Championships, also held in Tokyo. Her career includes victories at the New York, Boston, London and Sydney marathons.

The decision handed down at the final hearing will determine when Jepchirchir can return to competition.