AIU charge 2019 Chicago Marathon champion Lawrence Cherono for tampering

Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged Lawrence Cherono, with tampering, the unit has announced.

The 2019 Chicago Marathon champion tested positive for Trimetazidine and was provisionally suspended in July 2022.

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Trimetazidine, an injectable drug, is used for treating heart-related conditions. It helps metabolize fatty acids, which helps the body to use oxygen. The drug allows for more blood flow to your heart and limits quick changes in your blood pressure. This can help lessen chest pain from blocked blood vessels.

The then 33-year-old Cherono was scheduled to represent Kenya at the World Championships in Oregon, alongside Geoffrey Kamworor and Barnabas Kiptum, a dream that came to a halt.

While AIU are yet to reveal the specifics to his case, tampering could occurs when an athlete under suspension for any violation attempts to interfere or prevent a doping control officer from discharging their duties.

An athlete can also be ruled guilty of tampering when they intimidate a potential witness or provide fraudulent information on the investigation of their doping cases. 

Additionally, altering information on the samples collected or adding a foreign substance to it, also amounts to tampering.