Kenyan road runner Roncer Kipkorir Konga has been suspended for three years
after testing positive for testosterone, a prohibited substance.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced
that the ban takes effect on June 16, 2025.
All of Konga’s results since December 29, 2024, have been annulled,
including any titles, medals, points, prizes, and appearance fees.
Konga admitted to violating anti-doping rules,
which reduced his sanction from the standard four years to three.
“The AIU confirms by this decision the following consequences for a first
Anti-Doping Rule Violation: a period of Ineligibility of three (3) years
commencing on 16 June 2025 (the date of Provisional Suspension); and
disqualification of the Athlete’s results on and since 29 December 2024, with
all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards,
medals, points, prizes and appearance money.”
According to the AIU, Konga’s urine sample collected
out of competition in Iten on December 29, 2024, was initially reported negative
by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory in Lausanne.
A later analysis confirmed testosterone and its metabolites of exogenous
origin.
The AIU said Konga had no Therapeutic Use
Exemption for the substance.
During an interview, Konga denied knowingly
using testosterone and claimed the result may have come from a traditional
herbal remedy prepared by his mother or a supplement he used.
“I believe in my training and my talent. I only used those two before
Christmas, and I didn’t use any injections,” he said.
However, after consulting the Athlete Passport
Management Unit, the AIU ruled that the herbal medicine and supplement were
unlikely to have caused the positive test.
This is Konga’s first doping offence.
He has waived his right to a disciplinary tribunal hearing, though he, WADA,
and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya can still appeal to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
The AIU stressed that the ruling reinforces its zero-tolerance stance on doping and the need to protect the integrity of athletics.
