Winnie Jemutai handed three year reduced ban for positive testosterone test

Kenyan athlete Winnie Jemutai Boinett has received a three year ban after testing positive for the presence and use of a prohibited substance - Testosterone, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Tuesday 12 March.

In the ruling, AIU stated that in-competition urine samples of the 20 year old taken on 12 November 2023 during the XLI CrossInternacional de Italica in Seville, on 23 February 2024 returned an Adverse Analytical Finding consistent with the exogenous origin of Testosterone2 and its Metabolites; 5α-androstane-3α,17 diol (“5αAdiol”) and 5β-androstane-3α,17 diol (“5βAdiol”).

After a review of the results, AIU on 29 February notified the athlete of the Adverse Analytical Finding and informed her of her rights to which she responded on 5 March stating: “I had injury. I went to different hospitals for treatment. I don't have exact documents showing the exact medications that I went through. I honestly accept that I broke the anti-doping rules and am ready to face the consequences. Thank you.”

Furthermore, the athlete, famously remembered for winning bronze in the women’s 1500m race at the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships, on 8 March 2024, signed and sent an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences Form which was received by AIU.

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Given that this was her first doping violation, AIU, on the basis of on early admission and acceptance of sanction, invoked a one year reduction in the period of ineligibility stemming from Rule 10.8.1 that states: “If the Athlete or other Person admits the violation and accepts the asserted period of Ineligibility no later than 20 days after receiving the Notice of Charge, the Athlete or other Person may receive a one (1) year reduction in the period of Ineligibility asserted by the Integrity Unit.”

Instead of the standard four year ban, AIU therefore handed Jemutai a period of Ineligibility of three (3) years commencing on 29 February 2024 (date of Provisional Suspension) also set to disqualify all results since 12 November 2023.

Jemutai had already been in action in 2024, taking part in the 3000m Short Track competitions in France at the Metz and Hauts-de-france pas-de-calais indoor meets.

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