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Nicholas Mboroto Kosimbei, a 26-year-old Kenyan athlete, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for testing positive for the banned performance-enhancing substance trimetazidine.
The AIU has provisionally suspended Nicholas Mboroto Kosimbei (Kenya) for the presence/use of a Prohibited Substance (Trimetazidine).
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) May 16, 2023
Details here: https://t.co/Cq4Q2MR0LJ pic.twitter.com/szoSGpXwlL
Kosimbei’s best performance across a range of distances happened in 2016 in the 10,000m event where he clocked a 27:02.59 performance as a 19-year-old. In 2014, he clocked a 28:38.68 at Hayward Field to earn bronze in the U20 World Championships. He was just 17 at the time.
Trimetazidine
Trimetazidine is used to treat heart-related conditions like angina. It helps metabolize fatty acids, which helps the body use more oxygen. The drug allows for more blood flow to your heart and limits quick changes in your blood pressure. The idea is to lessen chest pain from blocked blood vessels. It can also improve overall performance in someone with a heart-related disease.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned the use of TMZ in 2014. It is considered a hormone and metabolic modulator, which is a group of drugs that are illegal in sport.
If a person uses TMZ while competing in a sport that requires a lot of physical energy, TMZ could potentially help their heart function better. Therefore, the use of the drug in a competition would be unfair.