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Rodgers Kwemoi Chumo of Kenya has been banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for abnormalities in his blood profile. The suspension is for six years. When asked to explain why, at first he did not respond. Eventually, he did with the following: “The natural variations due to the psychological responses influenced by the frequent changes in climate, altitude, and other environmental factors,” are why the blood markers are off.
The AIU rejected the explanation.
The AIU has banned Rodgers Kwemoi (Kenya) for 6 years, from 8 August 2023, for the Use of a Prohibited Substance/Method (ABP). DQ results from 18 July 2016 until 8 August 2023.
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) May 17, 2024
Details here: https://t.co/NH5fVXqKHO pic.twitter.com/A4EnPKNUny
The abnormalities in his Athlete Biological Passport show up from blood tests taken between July 18, 2016 and February 1, 2023.
The AIU’s panel of experts concluded that he was likely blood doping or the use of Prohibited Substance/Method (ABP).
Kwemoi will have his performances disqualified starting from July 18, 2016. This includes a 10,000m gold medal from the 2016 U20 World Athletics Championships. He finished seventh at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games and earned a bronze medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
In 2019, he set his personal best at 26:55.36 at the Doha World Athletics Championships finishing in fourth position. Kwemoi ran the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the time of 58:30 in 2022 finishing in second place behind Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda who clocked a 57:56 performance. Kwemoi won back-to-back titles at the Tilburg Ten Miles in 2016 and 2017. He won the Istanbul Half Marathon in 2022.
Kwemoi is the second athlete under famed coach Patrick Sang to be sanctioned.
