Second-fastest woman over 10km, Emmaculate Anyango Achol, suspended six years for doping

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Athletics Illustrated previously reported that Kenyan runner Emmaculate Anyango Achol was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for doping.

The athlete — the world’s second-fastest 10km runner — was handed the unusual sentence of a six-year suspension. Achol was provisionally suspended in October for the presence of testosterone and erythropoietin (EPO) from a doping test. She has received a longer sentence for “aggravating circumstances.” The circumstances include the use of multiple prohibited substances. How many more is not known at this time.

Kenya’s Emmaculate Anyango banned for six years over doping
Kenyan runner Emmaculate Anyango has been handed a six-year ban after testing positive for banned substances, including testosterone and EPO. Her results since…https://t.co/Csq74hOhNr

— Anti-Doping Database (@Dopinglist) November 22, 2024

Her results date back to February 3, 2024, and have been disqualified.

The 24-year-old ran 28:57 in the Valencia Ibercaja road race in January this year. She finished second to fellow Kenyan, Agnes Jebet Ngetich, who ran 28:46. The previous record was held by Ethiopian Yalemzerf Yehualaw. She held a personal best of 29:14. Achol and Ngetich were the first two women to breach the 29-minute barrier. Achol will be able to hold onto the record.

Anyango failed to respond to the charge before the Nov. 1 deadline, which she then automatically waived her right to a hearing. Multiple samples returned results for more banned substances ultimately leading to the longer ban.

Her ban is effective from Sept. 26.

Anyango finished fourth at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships in March in Serbia, where Kenya won the team gold medal.