Kenya’s Sheila Chelangat suspended for EPO doping violation
Kenyan runner Sheila Chelangat has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for EPO, dealing another blow to the country’s fight against doping in athletics.
Kenyan long-distance runner Sheila Chelangat has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for Erythropoietin (EPO), a banned substance under World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed the suspension on Tuesday, stating: “The AIU has provisionally suspended Sheila Chelangat, a Kenyan, for presence or use of a prohibited substance.” A provisional suspension means the athlete is barred from all athletics competitions pending the outcome of a formal hearing.
Chelangat, 27, tested positive in violation of Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the anti-doping regulations. EPO, though naturally produced by the body, is banned in its synthetic form for its performance-enhancing ability by increasing red blood cell production, which improves stamina and endurance.
A native of Kericho County, Chelangat has had a decorated career. She won a bronze medal in the 3,000-metre race at the 2015 World Youth Championships in Colombia, then went on to dominate the local cross-country scene with back-to-back national titles in 2020 and 2021. She returned to competitive action in 2024 with a win at the Betika Cross Country in Kericho, and followed it up with second-place finishes at the Hong Kong and Istanbul Half Marathons in early 2025.
Her suspension adds to a worrying trend involving Kenyan athletes. She becomes the third high-profile Kenyan athlete to be sanctioned in 2025 alone. In March, former world half-marathon record-holder Kibiwott Kandie was provisionally suspended for failing to submit to doping sample collection.
Another one bites the dust… as Kenya continues to grapple with the doping Menace in athletics.
— Lynne Wachira (@WachiraLynne) May 22, 2025
AlU has provisionally suspended Sheila Chelangat 🇰🇪 for Presence/Use of (EPO).
Sheila finished 2nd 🥈 at the Istanbul half Marathon 🇹🇷 in April. pic.twitter.com/zJ0tUXZ47y
In May, marathoners Purity Changwony and Brian Kipsang were both handed bans for testing positive for banned substances. Changwony received a two-year and three-month ban after her sample from the 2022 Volkswagen Prague Marathon tested positive for Norandrosterone and Triamcinolone Acetonide. Kipsang, who had set a personal best of 2:07:56 at the Rome Marathon in 2024, was banned for two years after his 2025 Rome Marathon sample tested positive for Triamcinolone Acetonide.
These cases highlight the growing challenge Kenya faces in tackling doping among its elite athletes. With international scrutiny mounting, the pressure is once again on national authorities to intensify efforts to restore credibility to Kenyan athletics.
Other Topics To Read
Top Stories Today
