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The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) provisionally suspended world marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir on Friday after an out-of-competition sample tested positive for the banned blood booster EPO.
Officials collected the sample in Kenya prior to the 33-year-old athlete’s victory at the 2026 Sydney Marathon.
The AIU enforces provisional suspensions while investigating anti-doping violations.
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Jepchirchir joins over 140 Kenyan athletes, including women’s marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich, who have faced AIU sanctions since 2017.
The suspension delivers a severe blow to Kenya’s sporting reputation, following World Athletics’ decision to award Nairobi the 2029 World Championships.
The AIU has provisionally suspended reigning World and former Olympic champion, Peres Jepchirchir, after an out-of-competition sample, collected in Kenya prior to her recent Sydney Marathon victory, returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO. 1/2 https://t.co/Y7Z82wyUyk
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) October 23, 2026
Reacting to the announcement, Athletics Kenya Youth Development Director Barnabas Korir expressed deep shock over the development.
“It’s a big disappointment coming soon after we were awarded the World Athletics Championship in 2029,” Korir told AFP.
“We are in shock, especially at the calibre of Peres Jepchirchir after a stellar career. We don’t know what is happening with our athletes.”
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The high-profile suspension follows a recent visit by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief Witold Banka, who urged Kenyan authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against performance-enhancing drugs.
“Kenya proudly calls itself the Home of Champions. But for that home to remain respected and credible, it must also be clean,” Banka stated, highlighting the need for joint action against drug trafficking and production.
He added that WADA and local agencies cannot succeed alone “if we do not cooperate with those who have the power to go against those who are producing, smuggling and trafficking dangerous steroids to your athletes.”
