One other Kenyan doping scandal has rocked the marathon world. On Monday, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) provisionally suspended the sixth quickest marathoner in historical past, Titus Ekiru, associated to a number of optimistic doping assessments and tampering. Ekiru faces a prolonged 10-year ban.
The AIU has provisionally suspended Titus Ekiru (Kenya) for the presence of Prohibited Substances (Triamcinolone Acetonide and metabolite; Pethidine and metabolite) and for Tampering.
Particulars right here: https://t.co/Y8LF9j2o9f pic.twitter.com/3uQgbOyn1i
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) July 3, 2023
In line with the AIU, Ekiru examined optimistic for the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide on the 2021 Milan Marathon, which is prohibited to be used in competitors except an athlete is granted an exemption for medical use. Though Ekiru claimed medical therapy as the explanation behind the primary optimistic take a look at, his defence took a blow when he examined optimistic for an artificial opioid after profitable the Abu Dhabi Marathon in November 2021.
Two costs of tampering have additionally been added to Ekiru’s case, submitting falsified medical explanations and documentation to the AIU for each optimistic assessments. The fees of submitting falsified medical explanations and documentation for the optimistic assessments additional compound the severity of the case.
Athletics Integrity Unit suspects doping conspiracy in Kenya
Ekiru ran a time of two hours, two minutes and 57 seconds to win the 2021 Milan Marathon, the sixth quickest time in historical past solely a minute and a half behind Eliud Kipchoge’s world file of two:01:39 on the time.
The AIU highlighted a regarding pattern of triamcinolone acetonide utilization amongst Kenyan athletes, casting a shadow of doubt over the credibility of their performances. The substance gained notoriety when British bicycle owner Bradley Wiggins used it with a medical exemption whereas competing on the 2012 Tour de France, a race he went on to win.
The 31-year-old will now defend himself earlier than the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal, totally conscious {that a} potential 10-year ban hangs over his head.
Ekiru trains in Kapsabet, Kenya, with 2 Runners Membership beneath the distinguished Italian marathon coach Claudio Berardelli, who additionally coaches two-time Boston Marathon champion Evans Chebet, TCS Toronto champion Benson Kipruto and 2022 London Marathon champion Amos Kipruto.
In line with the AIU, greater than 70 Kenyan athletes are at the moment serving provisional suspensions or bans. In late 2022, World Athletics and the Kenyan authorities dedicated $25 million to the struggle towards doping in athletics over the subsequent 5 years.
