Three years in the cold for Samperu on admission of doping
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 24.02.26. | 10:56
His ban includes the forfeiture of any medals, titles, awards, points, prizes, prize money and appearance money
Kenyan marathoner Mathew Samperu has received a three-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for the presence/use of a prohibited substance, testosterone.
The 32-year-old tested positive after winning (1:04:23) the Pertamina ECO Runfest half-marathon in November last year. He went on to pick silver (2:15:46) at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on 7 December, a result that has also been disqualified.
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Additionally, the ban includes the forfeiture of any medals, titles, awards, points, prizes, prize money, and appearance money.
On 23 November 2025, Samperu provided an in-competition urine sample at the Pertamina ECO Runfest held in Jakarta, Indonesia. On 19 January 2026, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Bangkok, Thailand, reported the Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) in the sample based on the presence of testosterone and its metabolites, androsterone, etiocholanolone, SaAdiol, and 5ẞAdiol, consistent with exogenous origin.
The AIU reviewed the finding and determined that the athlete did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption ("TUE") that had been granted for the testosterone and its metabolites found in the sample.
On 23 January 2026, the AIU notified the marathoner of the finding and of his immediate provisional suspension.
On 25 January 2026, Samperu wrote to the AlU stating that he had used methylprednisolone on 18 November 2025 in a therapeutic context after attending a clinic due to severe pain and swelling in his hip joint. He explained that methylprednisolone had been prescribed to him by a doctor, that he was unaware it contained a prohibited substance, and that he had not taken any substance to enhance his performance in the event.
He also requested an analysis of the B sample in the presence of his representative, but did not follow through with the financial requirement, despite getting an extension on the payment period.
In support of this explanation, he provided a medical receipt dated 18 November 2025 issued by a medical clinic, which indicated that the medication prescribed consisted of a single intramuscular injection of methylprednisolone administered by the doctor.
Methylprednisolone is a prohibited substance in competition according to the 2025 WADA Prohibited List.
On 14 February 2026, the AIU received an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form signed by the Kenyan confirming that he admitted the anti-doping rule violations and accepted the consequences.
On the basis of on an early admission and acceptance of sanction, he received a one-year reduction in the asserted period of ineligibility.
