The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Tuesday handed four Kenyan athletes suspensions with different durations of time over allegations of engaging in doping.
In a statement, the agency announced that Sophy Jepchirchir, Ibrahim Wachira, Elias Kemei and Nicholas Kosimbei had been found guilty of using illegal substances.
AIU confirmed banning Sophy Jepchirchir for 3 years after laboratory results depicted the use of a prohibited substance, Testosterone, by the athlete.
AIU defended its decision to ban Jepchirchir by stating that Testosterone is a prohibited substance according to the World Anti-doping Agency (Wada) 2024 rules. It is classified as a Non-Specified substance banned at all times.
"The Athlete has not demonstrated that the Anti-Doping Rule Violations were not intentional. Therefore, the mandatory period of Ineligibility is a period of Ineligibility of four years," AIU noted.
Ibrahim Wachira was handed a 4-year ban after Norandrosterone and Tamoxifen were detected in his sample.
"The period of Ineligibility to be imposed is therefore four years unless the Athlete demonstrates that the Anti-Doping Rule Violations were not intentional," reads a statement by AIU.
Athlete Elias Kemei received a 3-year ban for testing positive for Trimetazidine, a substance prohibited by the integrity unit.
Similarly, Nicholas Kosimbei also got a 3-year ban after testing positive for the same substance.
This isn't the first time AIU has banned Kenyan athletes, recently, Kennedy Kiprop long-distance runner was banned for 2 years for missing three doping tests from November to December 2023, violating the International Standard for Results Management (ISRM).
Earlier this year, Sarah Chepchirchir, a Kenyan marathoner, received a 4-year ban for failing a doping test.
These actions by AIU aim to maintain fairness and integrity in sports by enforcing strict anti-doping regulations.
