Peres Jepchirchir Provisionally Suspended Over EPO Doping Finding

Posted : 23 October 2026

Kenyan distance-running star Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after an out-of-competition sample returned an adverse finding for erythropoietin (EPO), a prohibited substance that stimulates red blood cell production and can improve endurance. The announcement, made on Friday, October 23, has delivered another setback to Kenyan athletics.

The 33-year-old is one of the most accomplished athletes in women’s marathon running. She won Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021 and has claimed major marathon victories in New York in 2021, Boston in 2022, London in 2024 and Sydney in 2026. She has also held the women’s half-marathon world record.

According to the AIU, the sample was collected in Kenya before Jepchirchir won the Sydney Marathon on August 30. Her provisional suspension means she cannot compete while the case proceeds, but it does not constitute a final ruling on the allegation. The outcome will depend on the disciplinary process and any response she provides.

The case adds to concerns about anti-doping enforcement in Kenya, where more than 140 athletes have faced suspensions or bans through the AIU since 2017, according to the supplied report. The latest development comes as Nairobi prepares to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, a major event expected to bring increased attention to the country’s efforts to protect clean sport.

Barnabas Korir, an Athletics Kenya youth development director and vice-president of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, said the news had left him shocked and disappointed. He noted that the announcement was particularly troubling so soon after Nairobi secured the right to host the world championships, adding that the situation raised serious questions about what was happening within Kenyan athletics.

Jepchirchir’s manager, Gianni Demadonna, also expressed shock after learning of the adverse finding. He said he had trusted the athlete throughout their 13-year professional relationship and was struggling to understand the news. Demadonna added that the situation had deeply damaged his view of her otherwise distinguished career.

The latest case follows renewed calls for stronger anti-doping measures in Kenya. Earlier this month, a delegation from the World Anti-Doping Agency visited the country, with its president, Witold Banka, urging officials to strengthen the fight against prohibited substances and those involved in their production and distribution.

Banka stressed that Kenya’s reputation as a home for world-class athletes depended on maintaining the integrity of competition. He called for a stronger culture of clean sport, a zero-tolerance approach to doping and closer cooperation between international anti-doping authorities and Kenyan agencies.

Jepchirchir’s case now awaits further proceedings, with no final determination announced. The investigation will be closely watched given her achievements and the wider implications for Kenya’s efforts to restore confidence in its athletics programme.

Peres Jepchirchir Provisionally Suspended Over EPO Doping Finding

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