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Kenyan athlete Sarah Chepchirchir banned for 8 years by Athletics Integrity Unit

Sarah Chepchirchir © Courtesy

By Rama Mohammed | 14 Feb 2024

Analysis conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Bangkok revealed the presence of Testosterone metabolites, a prohibited substance under the WADA 2023 Prohibited List.

Kenyan long-distance runner Sarah Chepchirchir has been handed an eight-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for violating anti-doping rules. The decision comes after Chepchirchir failed to respond to allegations of using a prohibited substance, marking her second offense in the realm of anti-doping regulations.

The AIU, established by World Athletics to safeguard the integrity of the sport, disclosed that Chepchirchir provided a urine sample during the Bangsaen Chonburi Marathon in Thailand on November 5, 2023.

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Analysis conducted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Bangkok revealed the presence of Testosterone metabolites, a prohibited substance under the WADA 2023 Prohibited List.

Despite being given multiple opportunities to respond to the allegations, Chepchirchir failed to provide a detailed explanation or contest the charges within the stipulated deadlines. Consequently, the AIU deemed her to have admitted to the anti-doping rule violations and accepted the consequences laid out in the charges.

"This constitutes the Athlete’s second Anti-Doping Rule Violation," the AIU stated, referencing Chepchirchir's previous suspension from February 6, 2019, to February 5, 2023, for an anti-doping rule violation based on abnormal values in her Athlete Biological Passport.

The consequences imposed on Chepchirchir include an eight-year period of ineligibility starting from December 22, 2023, until December 21, 2031. Additionally, all her results since November 5, 2023, stand disqualified, with Chepchirchir forfeiting any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and appearance money.

"While the decision constitutes the final ruling by the AIU, Chepchirchir, along with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), retains the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland," the AIU added, highlighting the avenue for potential appeal.