Sigh of relief for Jeruto as AIU clears doping charges

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has lifted former world 3000m steeplechase champion Norah Jeruto's provisional suspension for an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) with immediate effect after failing to prove the charge.

The Kenyan-born Jeruto, who switched her allegiance to Kazakhstan, won gold in the 2021 World Athletics Championships held in Eugene, Oregon.

She had won the world championships in eight minutes and 53.02 seconds, the third-fastest time in history

She, however, couldn’t defend it at this year’s competition in Budapest, Hungary, after she was charged with doping in April.

Bahraini Yavi Mutile who was born in Kenya, scooped gold, with record holder Beatrice Chepkoech and the fast-rising Faith Cherotich settling for silver and bronze, respectively.

According to a panel of the Disciplinary Tribunal, Jeruto is free to compete in any international events since the charges were dropped.

The lifting of the ban comes in time for Jeruto, as the 2024 Paris Olympics are just around the corner.

Tampering charges added for already suspended Kunyuga

Jeruto, in her defense, stated that the reason samples showed she had lost blood could be explained by her history of bleeding ulcers, which resulted in internal bleeding and hospitalization. She had also tested positive for COVID-19.

None of this showed any presence of a banned substance, and the AIU could not prove the re-administration of blood products that improve endurance as part of a transfusion, which meant the provisional suspension was lifted.

Global award in the offing for Faith Cherotich

The decision is open for appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Jeruto won the African Championship gold medal in the steeplechase in 2016 and the Diamond League title in 2021, both while representing Kenya.

She switched allegiance to Kazakhstan last year, having missed the Tokyo Olympics while she waited for the switch to take effect, and won the Central Asian nation’s first-ever world track and field gold medal in a championship-record time last year.