Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir provisionally suspended for doping

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 25, 2026

Kenyan Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended for testing positive for the banned substance EPO in an out-of-competition doping test. The suspension, amid ongoing investigations, highlights continued doping concerns in Kenyan athletics and comes just after Nairobi was awarded the 2029 World Championships, raising scrutiny on Kenya’s anti-doping efforts.

Kenyan marathon runner Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended for doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday. The 33-year-old athlete, who won Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021, tested positive for the banned blood booster erythropoietin (EPO) in an out-of-competition sample collected in Kenya prior to her recent victory at the Sydney Marathon.

The suspension is temporary while the AIU continues its investigation. Jepchirchir joins more than 140 Kenyan athletes who have faced provisional suspensions or bans since 2017, reflecting ongoing concerns about doping in Kenyan athletics. Notably, the current women’s marathon world record-holder, Ruth Chepngetich, is among those previously sanctioned by the AIU.

Jepchirchir’s career includes multiple high-profile achievements. In addition to her Olympic title, she is a former half-marathon world record-holder and a four-time winner of World Marathon Major events. Her victories include the Sydney Marathon in 2026, the London Marathon in 2024, the Boston Marathon in 2022, and the New York Marathon in 2021.

The suspension comes shortly after World Athletics awarded Nairobi the hosting rights for the 2029 World Championships, an event expected to place increased focus on Kenya’s efforts to combat doping. Barnabas Korir, Athletics Kenya’s Youth Development Director and vice president of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, expressed disappointment over the news. “It’s a big disappointment coming soon after we were awarded the World Athletics Championship in 2029,” Korir said. “We are in shock, especially in the calibre of Peres Jepchirchir after a stellar career. We don’t know what is happening with our athletes.”

Jepchirchir’s manager, Gianni Demadona, described the situation as both confusing and shocking. Having worked with her for 13 years, he expressed regret over the positive test. “I was trusting her after 13 years working together that she was one of the most trustable athletes around. I was completely wrong,” Demadona said. He added that the positive result had tarnished Jepchirchir’s reputation and marked a disappointing end to her distinguished career.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.