Boston Marathon winner Diana Kipyoki was suspended on Friday after testing positive for doping in the 2021 race and could be stripped of her title.
athletics integrity unit announced that Kipyoki failed a drug test collected after winning the 2021 marathon.
The AIU said it tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a therapeutic drug that was prohibited in competition when administered via the oral, rectal and all injection routes, because it acts as a performance enhancer.
Athletes are allowed to test positive for the drug if they prove that it was administered by another route that was not orally, rectally, or by injection.
Kipyoki allegedly tried to sabotage a doping investigation by providing false documents about his drug use.
If the Kenyan long-distance runner is proven to have taken a banned drug, he will be disqualified as the 125th Boston Marathon winner, the AIU said, and a prize money of $150,000. Kipyoki is also banned from the sport for at least four years.
Boston Athletic Association said In a statement it will re-adjust race rankings and award prize adjustments to the top finishers of the 2021 marathon pending approval.
Kipyoki won the Boston women’s race in 2 hours 24 minutes 45 seconds. She finished 24 seconds ahead of her Kenyan compatriot Edna Kiplagat, who won the Boston Marathon in 2017. If Kipyoki is disqualified, Kiplagat will claim her second Boston Marathon title.
“Kipyoki’s result in the 2021 Boston Marathon will be disqualified until the relevant athlete appeals procedures are completed,” the BAA said. “The Boston Athletic Association supports strict anti-doping measures to ensure fair competition and clean sport.”
Another Kenyan sprinter, Betty Wilson Lempus, was also suspended on Friday after testing positive for the same drug after winning the 2021 Harmony Mutuel Semi de Paris. Lemps was also accused of tampering with the AIU investigation by providing false documents.
On Thursday, the AIU banned Kenyan sprinter Mark Kongogo for the presence of triamcinolone acetonide in his sample.
“The cases announced today are part of a recent trend in Kenyan athletics
Triamcinolone acetonide, along with ten Kenyan athletes who test positive for prohibited
matter between 2021 and 2022,” the AIU said in a statement.
post with wires