Flashback to Rita Jeptoo of Kenya celebrating her win at the Boston Marathon in April last year. She was later caught out over the use of the banned blood-boosting hormone EPO. Photo: AP

Boston marathon winner Rita Jeptoo gets two-year ban for doping

Published: 11:42pm, 30 Jan 2015

Top Kenyan marathon runner Rita Jeptoo was handed a two-year ban after being caught doping with the banned blood-boosting hormone EPO, officials said on Friday.

The suspension, announced by the local governing body Athletics Kenya, was the minimum mandatory punishment she was facing under international anti-doping regulations in place when she was caught in an out-of competition test last year.

Jeptoo, winner of the last two consecutive Boston and Chicago marathons, is the biggest name in Kenyan athletics to have been caught cheating and the scandal has cast a shadow over the achievements of the east African distance running powerhouse.

This will not deter other athletes from taking drugs. Why are they being lenient? The rotten few are hurting Kenyan athletics

Kenyan running legend Moses Kiptanui

“Rita Jeptoo has been banned for two years, effective from 30th October last year to 29th October next year, following the results of the A and B samples which showed she had used the prohibited substance EPO,” said Athletics Kenya’s chief executive Isaac Mwangi.

Jeptoo, 33, has already been denied the US$500,000 prize for winning the last World Marathon Majors series, although it remains unclear if she will have to pay back prize money that has already been paid out.

Athletes caught doping after January 1 this year now face a mandatory four-year ban.

Rita Jeptoo reports to Athletics Kenya headquarters in Nairobi earlier in January to answer questions after failing a doping test. Photo: Reuters

“Athletics Kenya at two workshops in 2013 in Eldoret educated the top athletes on the issue of drugs. Rita’s ignorance has been her downfall,” said Noah Ngeny, Athletics Kenya’s commission chair.

There were however complaints that the suspension was far too short.

“Two years is too lenient. She will come back very strong,” complained Kenyan running legend and multiple 3000m steeplechase medalist Moses Kiptanui.

“This will not deter other athletes from taking drugs. Why are they being lenient? It will serve as an encouragement,” he said. “The rotten few are hurting Kenyan athletics. People think everybody who was successful has doped.”

Another top Kenyan runner, who asked not to be named, said the decision was a “disgrace”.

“Kenya has been in the spotlight and this was an opportunity to show we are serious and to set a very clear example. But they gave her the minimum punishment, and even backdated it. This is a very poor decision and a real kick in the teeth for all of us who are competing clean,” he said.

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