October 12, 2024 15:47 PM

Rita Jeptoo Doping Tested Positive; Athletics Head Says Kenyan Doping Problem Is Far Less Severe Than In China Or Russia

Rita Jeptoo doping test results were positive. The famous marathon runner's "B" sample tested positive, according to the statement of the athletics federation of Kenya on Friday.

The federation has confirmed that an earlier test found traces of a banned performance enhancer. Rita Jeptoo doping is actually a three-time winner of the famous Boston Marathon, as well as a two-time winner in Chicago. Moreover, she happens to be one of the highest profile Kenyan athletes to fail a doping test.

Tests of the "B" sample were done between Wednesday and Friday at the World Anti-Doping Agency Lab, which is located in Lausanne. According to the federation, they will be holding a hearing regarding Rita Jeptoo doping case early January.

The Vice Presidents of Athletics Kenya, Jackson Tuwei and David Okeyo, mentioned in November that the "A" sample taken from Rita Jeptoo doping in an out-of-competition test in Kenya, conducted on September 25th, showed traces of EPO, a known blood booster.

The 33-year-old athlete was actually supposed to be crowned as the winner of the World Marathon Majors series before it was confirmed and revealed that she failed a Rita Jeptoo doping test. However, according to the head of Kenya's athletics federation, the doping problem in his nation is actually far less severe than those in China or Russia.

Isaiah Kiplagat, the President of Athletics Kenya, said that they have actually either suspended or banned 32 of their athletes for doping in the past five years. He said, "If you compare that to athletes banned by other federations, like Russia and China, we are nowhere."

Moreover, according to Kiplagat, they have been doing everything in their power to address or "arrest" the doping problem in the country. He said that he formed a government task force that will formulate necessary laws to punish anyone who is found guilty of supplying the athletes of Kenya with performance-boosting substances.

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