The key facts

  • World marathon champion and Tokyo 2021 Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir provisionally suspended for EPO
  • Sample collected out of competition in Kenya before her victory at the Sydney Marathon (2026)
  • Since 2017 the AIU has suspended more than 140 Kenyan athletes; WADA recently called on Kenya to adopt zero tolerance for doping

The suspension

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday the provisional suspension of Kenyan runner Peres Jepchirchir. The 33-year-old athlete, who won the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, was suspended after her out-of-competition sample tested positive for the banned blood booster EPO. The provisional suspension applies for the duration of the investigation into the case.

Sample details and career

According to the AIU, the sample was collected in Kenya before Jepchirchir's recent victory at the Sydney Marathon. Her career includes the title of former world half-marathon record holder and four victories in World Marathon Major marathons: Sydney (2026), London (2024), Boston (2022) and New York (2021).

Context of Kenya's doping problems

Jepchirchir became one of more than 140 Kenyan athletes, including the current women's marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich, suspended or disqualified by the AIU since 2017. World Athletics' decision to award the 2029 World Championships to Nairobi is likely to intensify scrutiny of the country's anti-doping policy.

Reaction and WADA visit

Athletics Kenya youth development director and vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya Barnabas Korir told AFP he was shocked by the news: 'It is a big disappointment, so soon after we were entrusted with the 2029 World Championships. We are in shock, especially given the level of Peres Jepchirchir after a brilliant career. We do not know what is happening with our athletes.' Earlier this month WADA paid Kenya a three-day visit, led by Witold Banka, who said the country must strive for zero tolerance for doping: 'Kenya proudly calls itself the Home of Champions. But for this home to remain respected and authoritative, it must be clean.' Banka added that neither WADA nor the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) will be able to achieve their goal without cooperation from those who can confront the manufacturers and smugglers of steroids, and that the parties reached a common understanding and agreed on the goal of immediately establishing a zero-tolerance policy.