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Peres Jepchirchir Provisional Suspension After Positive EPO Test

By Drooid · Oct 23, 2026, 10:33 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Kenyan marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir was provisionally suspended after a positive EPO test.
The AIU said the sample was taken in Kenya before her August 30, 2026 Sydney win.
Jepchirchir won the Sydney Marathon in 2:18:31, over three minutes ahead of second place.
The suspension bars her from competition, may cause a ban and loss of AUD$30,000.
Her case joins 140 Kenyan athletes sanctioned since 2017, raising scrutiny before the 2029 Championships.

History

Historical Context

In 2014, Kenyan marathoner Rita Jeptoo received a two-year suspension after an EPO positive, losing her Boston Marathon title. The Athletics Integrity Unit, collaborating with the World Anti-Doping Agency, seized $45,000 prize money and mandated retesting of 200 Kenyan athletes. Peres Jepchirchir’s August 2026 positive test mirrors Jeptoo’s case, adding to the AIU’s tally of over 140 Kenyan sanctions since 2017. The pattern pressures Kenyan Athletics Federation and national authorities to tighten anti-doping protocols before the 2029 World Championships in Doha.

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Story summary

Kenyan marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir was provisionally suspended after a positive EPO test.
The AIU said the sample was taken in Kenya before her August 30, 2026 Sydney win.
Jepchirchir won the Sydney Marathon in 2:18:31, over three minutes ahead of second place.
The suspension bars her from competition, may cause a ban and loss of AUD$30,000.
Her case joins 140 Kenyan athletes sanctioned since 2017, raising scrutiny before the 2029 Championships.

1 / 2