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Kenya's Jeptoo to serve two-year ban, missing Rio Olympics

Xinhua, January 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

Kenya's Boston Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo will serve two years and not four after her out-of- competition doping test turned positive to banned performance enhancing drug EPO, athletics officials said on Friday.

A statement from Athletics Kenya (AK) confirmed that the 33- year-old Jeptoo will miss out on the Rio Olympics as she is expected to return to action on October 29, 2016.

"Athletics Kenya would like to confirm that it has suctioned Jeptoo for two years effective from October 30, 2014 to October 29, 2016 follow the results of sample A and B sample having used the prohibited substance EPO," AK said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

Jeptoo, the three-time Boston and two-time Chicago marathon titleholder pending the review of her performances had both A and B samples from an out of competition test conducted in September last year test positive for the proscribed substance.

"That is the end of this case and we are now looking forward to working with the government's Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya in partnering to fight doping in our sport," AK president, Isaiah Kiplagat said.

However, Jeptoo's agent and coach will not be sanctioned even after AK summoned them to give part of their story in the wake of news of her doping.

With the ban, Jeptoo stands to be stripped of her titles and earnings in the period under review as well as losing out on the 500,000 U.S. dollars World Marathon Majors series jackpot she won after running to back-to-back victories at the Boston and Chicago marathons in 2013 and 2014.

The most sensational drug cheating case in Kenyan history saw Jeptoo, estranged partner Noah Busiendich, Italian manager, Federico Rosa and Italian coach, Claudio Berardelli appearing before AK Medical and Anti-Doping Commission on Jan. 15.

During the hearings where Jeptoo testified for over two hours her now ex-manager Rosa maintained his Rosa Associati firm or those involved in its dealings had nothing to do with the athlete' s decision to use blood booster EPO to gain unfair edge.

"I wanted to clear my company here. Let the committee meet and make a statement but my relationship with Jeptoo ended the moment she tested positive. I have nothing to do with people who dope," Rosa told the press after concluding his presentation then.

His compatriot and coach, Berardelli who has handled among other, world champions Asbel Kiprop and Eunice Sum, former Olympics gold medalist, Nancy Jebet Langat and the late Samuel Wanjiru besides former world champion, Janeth Jepkosgei among other notable stars spoke of anguish the Jeptoo drug bust had taken on him.

"Our runners should not take the short route to success and I hope this will serve a lesson to those who want to follow in her path to stop using drugs such as EPO which are deliberate since they are injected," Wilfred Bungei, the retired Being 2008 Olympics champion added on the latest development.

"It wasn't good news especially to athletes who have been running at the top with good times. It's something Government should go deep and intervene to ensure it doesn't happen again because it doesn't portray a good image to our country," Wilson Kipsang, the former world marathon record holder said after winning the New York title and with it the World Marathon Majors series jackpot worth 500, 000 dollars last November.

New World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules have agreed to increase doping ban from two years to four effective 2015. However, Jeptoo was found guilty in 2014 and she is lucky she will only sit out for two years.

Athletics Kenya CEO Isaac Mwangi said the appearance before the medical commission of Jeptoo, Berardille, Rosa and Noah Busienei ( Jeptoo's ex-husband) was meant to shed light on the mystery surrounding doping in the country and they have to ascertain some of the information before going pubic. Endite