Celestine Chepchirchir handed three year reduced doping ban

Kenyan long-distance runner Celestine Chepchirchir has received a three-year ban after testing positive for the presence of a prohibited substance Testosterone and its Metabolites, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Monday 22 April.

The finding comes after a WADA-accredited laboratory on 26 March 2024 returned an Adverse Analytical Finding from Chepchirchir’s out-of-competition urine sample taken on 9 February in Kapsabet.

Among the testosterone metabolites consistent in the finding include: Etiocholanolone, 5α-androstane-3α,17 diol (“5αAdiol”) and 5β-androstane-3α,17 diol (“5βAdiol”) of exogenous origin.

In Monday’s decision, AIU noted that they on the same day - 26 March - notified Chepchirchir, a fourth place finisher in last year’s Valencia Marathon, of the anti-doping violation, to which she provided no response.

On 8 April 2024, AIU then extended the Athlete’s deadline to reply to the Notice of Allegation until 12 April 2024, by which she admitted to the violations, presenting a signed Acceptance of Consequences Form.

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Given that it was Chepchirchir’s first violation, AIU, via one of its rules - Rule 10.8.1 that provides a one year reduction for certain anti-doping rule violations based on early admission and acceptance of sanction - handed her a three-year ban, outside of the standard ban totaling four years.

As per the ruling, Chepchirchir’s ban will commence on the date of provisional suspension (26 March 2024), with all her results since 9 February 2024 being disqualified.

Chepchirchir, 28, last participated in the Seoul Marathon in March, finishing eighth in a personal best time of 2:24:50.