© Copyright – 2024 – Athletics Illustrated
Twenty-one-year-old Kenyan 10,000-metre specialist Faith Chepkoech has been banned from the sport of athletics for testing positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs.
In June 2024, she provided a urine sample in an out-of-competition test in Iten, Kenya.
On Sept. 4, the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) accredited laboratory in Cologne, Germany reported an Adverse Analytical Finding in the sample based on the presence of recombinant Erythropoietin (“EPO”).
In an interview with with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on Sept. 13 she claimed that someone else injected her with the EPO, but refused to identify the person. Five days later, she was given the opportunity to come clean for a reduced sentence. On the 22nd, Chepkoech admitted fault and was suspended for three years.
Chepkoech holds personal bests in the 10,000m and 10K road race of 30:22.77 and 29:50, respectively. Both bests were run in 2024.
A red-flag moment may have come in Feb. 2024 when she improved her personal best from her Sept. 2024 performance of 32:38 to that current best of 29:50.
All results since July 26 2024 have been disqualified, leading to the forfeiture of titles, awards, and any appearance money she may have earned.
