On June 12, 2024, Nancy Jelagat Meto tested positive for the banned performance-enhancing substance furosemide in an out-of-competition test in Kenya. She was 38 at the time and in the International Testing Pool as an elite athlete.
Nearly three years later, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) published a press release detailing the process that led to the announcement on Wednesday.
Six weeks after the test on July 22, the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) informed the athlete of the positive results after receiving the test information from the World Anti-Doping lab in Lausanne, where the sample was shipped to. The responsibility was then shifted over to the AIU, which informed Meto on August 21 of the positive test result.
Meto denied the result and said that she had been prejudiced. By the end of September, the AIU referred the matter back to ADAK as she claimed that she did not receive the first notice (despite it being sent to the same email address she was writing from). The Kenyan High Court became involved and delayed a public announcement.
According to the press release, “The AIU provided the Athlete with (a further) opportunity to request the B Sample analysis and to request copies of the Laboratory Documentation Packages supporting the Adverse Analytical Finding. The Athlete was also asked to confirm how she wished to proceed with her case and was given the opportunity to accept the Anti-Doping Rule Violations and the proposed Consequences or request a hearing before the Tribunal. On 13 March 2026, the AIU received an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and
Acceptance of Consequences Form signed by the Athlete.”
Her suspension runs from August 11, 2024, for two years. The now 40-year-old athlete may compete again this summer.
Personal bests
| Distance | Result | Date | Location | WA points value |
| Half Marathon | 1:05:21 | 22 AUG 2021 | Berlin (GER) | 1227 |
| Marathon | 2:19:31 | 05 DEC 2021 | Maraton Valencia Trinidad Alfonso EDP, Valencia (ESP) | 1217 |
| 10 Kilometres Road | 30:50 | 12 SEP 2021 | Herzogenaurach (GER) | 1202 |
| 10,000 Metres | 31:11.11 | 19 JUN 2021 | Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Nairobi (KEN) | 1183 |
Progression
Meto progressed significantly in 2021 after a hiatus in 2020.
10 kilometres road
| 2018 | 35:07 | Kabarak 10K, Kabarak (KEN) | 14 JUL 2018 |
| 2019 | 32:05 | Standard Chartered Nairobi Half-Marathon & 10-K, Nairobi (KEN) | 27 OCT 2019 |
| 2021 | 30:50 | Adizero Road to Records, Herzogenaurach (GER) | 12 SEP 2021 |
Half marathon
| 2017 | 1:13:02 | Doha Half Marathon, Doha (QAT) | 13 JAN 2017 |
| 2018 | 1:10:18 | Hamburg Half Marathon, Hamburg (GER) | 01 JUL 2018 |
| 2019 | 1:08:24 | Semi-Marathon de Boulogne Billancourt Christian Granger, Boulogne-Billancourt (FRA) | 17 NOV 2019 |
| 2021 | 1:05:21 | Generali Berlin Halbmaraton, Berlin (GER) | 22 AUG 2021 |
Marathon
| 2019 | 2:36:22 | Marathon, Treviso (ITA) | 31 MAR 2019 |
| 2021 | 2:19:31 | Maraton Valencia Trinidad Alfonso EDP, Valencia (ESP) | 05 DEC 2021 |
Furosemide
Furosemide is a diuretic and masking agent.
Furosemide, commonly known by the brand name Lasix, is a loop diuretic (“water pill”) used to treat edema (fluid retention) associated with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disorders. It also treats high blood pressure by forcing the kidneys to remove excess salt and water, increasing urine output.
From Sports Integrity Australia, Key Aspects of Furosemide in Sports:
Masking Mechanism: By increasing urine volume (diuresis) and altering urine pH, furosemide reduces the concentration of prohibited substances (such as anabolic steroids) in an athlete’s urine sample, making them difficult to detect.
Rapid Weight Loss: Used in sports with weight classes (e.g., boxing, wrestling, taekwondo) to rapidly remove water from the body to meet weight requirements.
WADA Status: Furosemide is strictly prohibited under the WADA S5 Diuretics and Masking Agents category at all times. A Minimum Reporting Level (MRL) of is applied for reporting violations.
Detection: While used to hide other drugs, furosemide itself is often detected alone, and its presence without a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) triggers a violation.
Health Risks: Misuse of furosemide can lead to significant health issues, including dehydration, acute kidney injury, hypotension, and electrolyte imbalances.
