The 2017 Tokyo Marathon champion Sarah Chepchirchir has landed an eight-year ban for violating anti-doping regulations for a second time.
The report by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) indicated that Chepchirchir had provided a urine sample on November 5, 2023, after completing the Bangsaen42 Chonburi Marathon, Thailand where she placed second in 2:35:43.
After analysis of the sample by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), the urine revealed the presence of metabolites of Testosterone.
“The analysis of a urine sample collected at the Bangsaen42 Chonburi Marathon, Thailand, revealed the presence of metabolites of Testosterone consistent with exogenous origin,” the statement read.
Testosterone is a banned drug in World athletics under the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) 2023 prohibited list.
Chepchirchir was previously banned for four years from February 2019 to February 2023 due to abnormalities in her athlete’s blood passport.
The statement further went on to state that the 39-year-old’s results since November 5, 2023, were disqualified and any titles or medals won.
“The athlete is ineligible from competing in any event for eight years commencing December 22, 2023 until December 21, 2031.
"Further, the athlete’s results since November 5, 2023, have been disqualified including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes and appearance money,” the statement read.
The statement further went on to state that the ban was enforced after Chepchirchir failed to provide a detailed explanation for her results.
“On December 22, the AIU issued the athlete with a notice of allegation of anti-doping rule violation and further imposed a provisional suspension.”
It went on to add, “The athlete was invited to provide a detailed written explanation for the adverse analytical findings by January 5, 2024, but she refused to respond.”
The athlete can, however, appeal the decision through WADA or ADAK (Anti-doping Agency of Kenya) at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Chepchirchir won the Lisbon Marathon, Portugal, in 2016 clocking 2:24:13. She also won a title in the Rabat 10km race, Morocco, in 2010 clocking 31:39.
She further won a bronze medal in the 2012 Paris Half Marathon (1:08:34) as well as the title for the 20km in 2013 (1:05:03).
