The World Athletics Integrity Unit has temporarily suspended Kenyan runner Peres Jepchirchir, the world marathon champion and Tokyo 2021 Olympic gold medalist, after tests revealed traces of the banned substance EPO. The unit announced this measure on Friday, stating that the sample from the 33-year-old athlete was taken prior to the Sydney Marathon, which she won on August 30 last year.
Notable sporting achievements
Peres Jepchirchir is among the most prominent athletes in the history of long-distance running, having won the world title at the Tokyo 2025 marathon and previously holding the world record in the half marathon. She also secured major victories in the London Marathon 2024, Boston 2022, and New York 2021, making her one of the strongest contenders on the international scene before this suspension.
Doping crisis in Kenya
Kenya is a powerhouse in the world of athletics, particularly in long and middle-distance races, having finished second in the overall standings at the Tokyo World Championships behind the United States with a total of 11 medals, including seven golds, two silvers, and two bronzes. However, the country is facing a growing doping crisis, with more than 140 athletes representing it suspended or banned since 2017, including Ruth Chepngetich, the world record holder in the marathon.
International calls for integrity
In this context, WADA President Witold Banka warned on October 6 that Kenya, which has the right to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships in Africa for the first time, must serve as a model in the fight against doping. For his part, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe stated on October 14 that this championship will help the effort to make Kenyan athletics more integrity-driven and free from doping.
Source: Arriyadiyah newspaper
Comments (0)