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Kenyan runner Winnie Jemutai banned for doping violations

Winnie Jemutai in a past race © Courtesy

By Rama Mohammed | 12 Mar 2024

Boinett admitted to the violations, citing an injury and a lack of documentation for medications as contributing factors

Kenyan athlete Winnie Jemutai Boinett has been banned for doping violations, following an admission of wrongdoing.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) issued a statement confirming the decision, stating, "The Athlete did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption ('TUE') that had been granted (or that would be granted) for the Testosterone consistent with exogenous origin (or its Metabolites) found in the Sample."

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Boinett, a 20-year-old middle and long-distance runner from Kenya, was found to have committed anti-doping rule violations during the XLI Cross Internacional de Italica in Seville, Spain, on November 12, 2023. The AIU's review concluded that there was no deviation from testing standards that could explain the adverse findings in her sample.

Upon being notified of the Adverse Analytical Finding on February 29, 2024, Boinett admitted to the violations, explaining, "I had an injury. I went to different hospitals for treatment, I don't have exact documents showing exact medications that I went through. I honestly accept that I break the anti-doping rules and am ready to face the consequences. Thank you."

Following her admission, Boinett signed an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form on March 8, 2024. Consequently, the AIU imposed a three-year period of ineligibility, starting from February 29, 2024, along with disqualification of her results since November 12, 2023.

Regarding the decision, the AIU stated, "The Athlete shall therefore receive a one (1) year reduction in the asserted period of Ineligibility pursuant to Rule 10.8.1 based on an early admission and acceptance of sanction."

Despite the reduction, Boinett will face significant consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, titles, points, prize money, and prizes won during the affected period. Boinett has waived her right to contest these consequences at a disciplinary hearing. The AIU's ruling marks the final decision on the matter, though WADA and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) have the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. Should an appeal be lodged, Boinett retains the right to cross-appeal.