Kenya’s Langat hit with five year ban for doping violations
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 27.08.25. | 16:53
He becomes the latest in a growing list of Kenyan athletes sanctioned for doping offenses
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has imposed a five-year ban on Kenyan road runner Charles Kipkurui Langat after he was found guilty of multiple anti-doping violations involving prohibited substances.
The 29-year-old athlete was first sanctioned in October 2024 after an adverse analytical finding for furosemide, a diuretic often used as a masking agent.
That violation resulted in a two-year suspension beginning on 11 September 2024 and the disqualification of his results from 6 August 2024.
Further analysis of a separate urine sample collected in July 2024 revealed a more serious infraction.
On 14 July 2025, a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory in Lausanne reported the presence of testosterone and its metabolites, substances consistent with exogenous origin and classified under the S1.1 Anabolic Androgenic Steroids category of the WADA Prohibited List.
The AIU determined that Langat did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for testosterone and that there had been no departure from testing standards.
Despite initially denying intentional use during interviews, he later admitted to the violation and signed an Acceptance of Consequences Form on 23 August 2025.
According to the AIU ruling, the use of multiple prohibited substances, testosterone and furosemide, amounted to aggravating circumstances that justified an extension of the standard four-year sanction.
Langat initially faced a potential six-year ban. However, under Rule 10.8.1 ADR, athletes who admit violations and accept sanctions within 20 days of notification may receive a one-year reduction.
As a result, Langat has been banned for a total of five years, with the ineligibility period running from 11 September 2024 to 10 September 2029.
In addition, all of his results since 20 July 2024 have been disqualified, including forfeiture of medals, titles, points, and prize money.
The AIU confirmed that the decision is final under Rule 8.5.6 ADR, although both WADA and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) retain the right to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Langat becomes the latest in a growing list of Kenyan athletes sanctioned for doping offenses, despite government efforts and significant investment aimed at curbing a vice that continues to place the country under international scrutiny.
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