Kenyan marathoner banned for three years

Kenyan long distance runner Lucy Karimi has been banned for three years for use of Erythropoietin (“EPO”) a substance under the World Anti-Doping Agency 's prohibited list.

Karimi's urine sample, collected on April 21 this year during the Huai'an Marathon in Huai'an, China, returned a positive test for the commonly abused drug, leading to the lengthy ban.

Given that the 37-year-old did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”) for the substance, and there was no departure from the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (“ISTI”) or from the International Standard for Laboratories (“ISL”) that could reasonably have caused the Adverse Analytical Finding, Karimi, was slapped with the ban.

"On 19 May 2024, the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) accredited laboratory in Beijing, China (the “Laboratory”) reported an Adverse Analytical Finding in the Sample based on the presence of Erythropoietin (“EPO”) (the “Adverse Analytical Finding”)," read a ruling on AIU's X account.

Ordinarily, the use of EPO attracts a four-year ban but Karimi had hers reduced after admitting to the Anti-Doping Rule Violation and accepted the consequences.

ADAK urges athletes to embrace natural nutrition and avoid supplements

"The Notice of Charge was issued to the Athlete on 27 June 2024, and, on 4 July 2024, the Athlete returned a signed Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form confirming that she admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violations and accepted the asserted period of Ineligibility. The Athlete shall therefore receive a one (1) year reduction in the asserted period of Ineligibility pursuant to Rule 10.8.1 based on an early admission and acceptance of sanction," explained AIU. 

Besides the ban, the 2016 Prague Marathon champion will have all her results from April 21 cancelled and will further forfeit any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes and appearance money accrued since then.]'