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Alfred Kipketer, a Kenyan middle-distance runner, has been banned from competition for two years. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced the suspension on their website.

“On the basis that the Athlete admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation under the AIU confirms this decision the following Consequences for a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation:

a period of Ineligibility of two (2) years commencing on the date of the confirmation of the fourth Whereabouts Failure on the Athlete’s record, pursuant to Article 10.10.2 (b) ADR, from 26 November 2019 to 25 November 2021; and

disqualification  of  all  competitive  results  obtained  by the Athlete since 26  November 2019 with  all  resulting  Consequences, including the forfeiture  of any  titles,  awards, medals, points prizes and appearance money.”

Kipketer brings the total of the current number of Kenyans banned to approximately 60. This is more than any other country, except Russia which is serving a complete ban for systematic doping.

The 25-year-old specializes in the 800-metre event. He owns a lifetime best of 1:42.87. Kipketer finished seventh in both the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and the 2015 Beijing World Athletics Championships. He helped Team Kenya win the World Relays 800m in 2014. He is also the 2014 Junior World Athletics gold medallist at Hayward Field in Eugene, OR.