Kenyan athlete slapped with two-year doping ban

Kenyan athlete Alice Koigi has been banned for two years after testing positive for the presence of the prohibited substance Methylprednisolone.

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Koigi, 34, reported an Adverse Analytical Finding from an in-competition test conducted on Friday, 26 October, the same day she was taking part in the Jakarta Running Festival (the “Race”), held in Indonesia.

As per the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), Koigi, who is ranked position 815 in women’s road running, in her submission to the finding, confirmed having had an injection pre-race, and also received treatment for dehydration.

The treatment for dehydration, which included intravenous infusions of sodium chloride (NaCl) (500 ml) and Ringer lactate (500 cc), as captured on her Doping Control Form, subsequently received a retroactive TUE.

The other injection - not noted on her form - also did not explain the Adverse Analytical Finding.

However, on Tuesday, 9 December, Koigi wrote to the AIU acknowledging that she had used a Prohibited Substance, and apologised for her actions.

She expressly confirmed that she admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violations and accepted the consequences set out in the Notice of Allegation.

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Given that she was a first-time offender, AIU imposed a two-year ban on Koigi, as it could not demonstrate that the Anti-Doping Rule Violations were intentional.

The 2022 Standard Chartered Singapore Half Marathon champion will now see her results on and since Friday, 26 October 2025, disqualified, with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes and appearance money.

The Kenyan in 2025 finished second in three races in Thailand (two half marathons and one 10 km road race), and came home seventh in a Jakarta Half Marathon in June.

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Methylprednisolone is a Prohibited Substance under the WADA 2025 Prohibited List under the category S9 - Glucocorticoids.

It is a Specified Substance prohibited in-competition when administered by any injectable, oral (including oromucosal) or rectal route.