Kenyan athlete Faith Chepchirchir provisionally suspended by AIU over alleged doping
Kenyan athlete Faith Chepchirchir Kiprotich has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for the banned substance norandrosterone. The 23-year-old, who recently made her mark in international road racing, now faces an uncertain future as she awaits the results of her B-sample test.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended 23-year-old Kenyan athlete Faith Chepchirchir Kiprotich after she tested positive for the banned substance norandrosterone.
The agency confirmed on Tuesday that it issued a notice of allegation to the athlete on December 23, 2024, an action requiring her to either accept or deny wrongdoing.
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Norandrosterone is a metabolite that can naturally occur in human urine following the consumption of meat from a non-castrated pig, boar meat, or organs such as the heart, kidneys, and liver. However, when used as a substance, it enhances athletic performance by increasing muscular strength and endurance.
Chepchirchir boasts a personal best of 31:04 in 10-kilometre road races and 1:10:33 in the half marathon, making her a promising figure in road running.
Her professional road racing career began at the 2023 Urban Trail de Lille, where she clocked 31:04 to finish fifth in the 10-kilometre event on November 18. She followed this with a 14th-place finish in the 8-kilometre race at the 2023 Great Chepsaita Cross Country Run on December 2, completing the course in 27 minutes and 51 seconds.
In 2024, her performance improved significantly, as she won both races she competed in. On September 29, she claimed victory in the 10-mile road race at CZ Tilburg Ten Miles in the Netherlands, finishing in 52:10. A week later, on October 6, she triumphed in the Hyundai Half Marathon in Lisbon, Portugal, with a time of 1:10:33.
These achievements had positioned her for entry into more prestigious races in 2025. However, her provisional suspension has put those plans on hold.
Chepchirchir's fate now hinges on the results of her B-sample test. If it returns negative, she could be cleared. However, a positive result would mean facing a ban that could derail her career for several years.
