Editor's Review
Athletics Kenya (AK) has broken its silence following the provisional suspension of seasoned marathon runner Peres Chepchirchir.
Athletics Kenya (AK) has broken its silence following the provisional suspension of seasoned marathon runner Peres Chepchirchir.
In a statement on Monday, October 26, the governing body said it remained committed to ensuring fairness and integrity in competition despite the development involving the high-profile athlete.
"While it is unfortunate to receive such news regarding a high-profile athlete, Athletics Kenya remains firm in its stance on promoting clean sport and ensuring a level playing field for all competitors," the statement read.
AK clarified that the testing procedures and subsequent provisional suspension were handled directly by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU)
The federation said the process was conducted in accordance with established anti-doping regulations, international standards and lawful case management protocols.
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"Athletics Kenya notes that the testing procedures and subsequent provisional suspension were conducted directly by the AIU, as the designated Testing Authority, in accordance with the established anti-doping regulations, international standards, and lawful case management protocols," the statement added.
AK also expressed support for anti-doping organisations operating at both international and national levels, specifically recognising the work of the AIU and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
It said the organisations played an important role in ensuring that testing procedures remained structured, transparent and compliant with the law to protect athletes who compete without prohibited substances.
"AK extends its full support to the rigorous efforts of both global and local anti-doping bodies, specifically the AIU and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK). We applaud their commitment to maintaining structured, lawful, and transparent testing mechanisms that protect clean athletes and safeguard the integrity of athletics worldwide," the statement further read.
AK reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on doping, pledging to continue educating athletes and strengthening testing frameworks to safeguard the credibility of the sport.
"Athletics Kenya reiterates its unwavering policy of zero tolerance to doping. We remain committed to educating athletes, strengthening testing frameworks, and ensuring that fairness and integrity remain at the heart of Kenyan athletics," the statement concluded.
In a statement on Friday, October 23, the AIU said the decision was arrived at after an out-of-competition sample collected in Kenya tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a substance associated with enhancing athletic performance.
The AIU confirmed that the reigning world champion and former Olympic champion had returned an adverse analytical finding for the prohibited substance.
"The AIU has provisionally suspended reigning World and former Olympic champion, Peres Jepchirchir, after an out-of-competition sample, collected in Kenya prior to her recent Sydney Marathon victory, returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO," the statement read.
The Sydney Marathon organisers also expressed disappointment following the announcement, confirming that the sample in question had been collected before the race held on August 30.
"The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS is extremely disappointed to learn that Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), after an out-of-competition sample collected in Kenya prior to the TCS Sydney Marathon, held on 30 August 2026, returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO," the organisers said in a statement.
Despite the development, the organisers emphasised that Jepchirchir remained entitled to due process and said they would refrain from making further comments while the case was being handled.
"Jepchirchir is entitled to due process, and we will make no further comment on the case until that process has concluded," the statement added.
The organisers further highlighted the potential consequences of a doping violation under the Abbott World Marathon Majors rules.
"Under Abbott World Marathon Majors rules, any athlete banned for a doping offence of three months or more is banned for life from all eight Majors," the statement further read.
Jepchirchir is a former world record-holder in the half-marathon and a four-time winner of major marathons.
Her victories include the Sydney Marathon in 2026, the London Marathon in 2024, the Boston Marathon in 2022 and the New York Marathon in 2021.
