Kenyan running has its next doping cases. Diana Kipyokei, winner of the 2021 Boston Marathon, has been suspended for anti-doping rule violations. This was announced on Friday by the independent integrity commission AIU of the world athletics association World Athletics. Her compatriot Betty Lempus was also blocked.
Both runners were found to have breakdown products of the steroid triamcinolone acetonide, and Kipyokei was found to have this in a rehearsal following last October’s Boston win. In addition, both athletes are said to have manipulated their doping samples and hindered the investigations of the AIU with incorrect information.
The AIU did not provide further details on the alleged tampering by 28-year-old Kipyokei, who faces a ban of at least four years. Kipyokei won in Boston in 2:24:45. Should she be convicted, her victory will be denied.
Ten Kenyans have tested positive for triamcinolone since early 2021, according to the AIU. On Thursday, the AIU announced that Kenyan Mark Kangogo had been banned for three years because of triamcinolone acetonide in his sample. In addition to the Kipyokei, Lempus and Kangogo cases, the AIU is currently conducting triamcinolone investigations into four other Kenyan athletes.
In addition, the Kenyan marathon runner Philemon Kacheran, training partner of running star Eliud Kipchoge, was banned for three years for violating the anti-doping rules on Monday.
Kipchoge broke the marathon world record in Berlin on September 25. For a long time it even looked as if the two-time Olympic champion could beat the magical two-hour mark. In the end, that didn’t quite work out, but in 2:01:09 hours he still set new standards over the 42.195 kilometers.
