Faith Chepkoech, a 21-year-old rising star in Kenyan athletics, has been handed a three-year ban by the World Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after admitting to using banned substances.
The sanction adds to a troubling trend of doping cases in the country, which has seen a growing number of athletes barred from competing globally.
Chepkoech, who had been climbing the ranks in long-distance running, was on the cusp of stardom, having secured three major victories in 2024 alone. She won the Women’s 5,000 metres at the 2nd AK Track & Field Weekend Meeting in January, followed by a February triumph in Spain’s Castellón 10K, and most recently, she took home the title at the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race in the United States in August. These wins showcased her potential to become one of Kenya’s next top athletes.
However, on 26 July 2024, during an out-of-competition test in Iten, Chepkoech’s urine sample flagged the presence of recombinant Erythropoietin (EPO), a prohibited substance known for boosting endurance. The results were confirmed by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Cologne, Germany, on 4 September 2024.
Upon receiving the results, the AIU immediately placed Chepkoech under provisional suspension on 6 September 2024. The athlete was also informed of her rights, including the option to request further analysis of her B Sample or provide additional documentation, neither of which was pursued.
In a candid admission during an interview with AIU officials on 13 September 2024, Chepkoech revealed she had been injected with an unknown substance by an individual she could not identify days before her test.
Facing the consequences, Chepkoech signed an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences form on 22 September 2024. This early admission earned her a one-year reduction from the original four-year ban, leaving her with a three-year suspension that commenced on 6 September 2024.
The repercussions for the young athlete are severe. All her results since 26 July 2024 have been disqualified, leading to the forfeiture of titles, awards, and any appearance money she may have earned.
The AIU’s decision underlined a zero-tolerance approach to doping, noting that Chepkoech had waived her right to a tribunal hearing and accepted the penalties without further contest.
Kenya’s growing doping crisis has cast a shadow over the country’s proud athletics heritage. As of 2024, 82 Kenyan athletes are banned from competition due to doping violations.
The AIU has disqualified 270 athletes since 2015, with Chepkoech’s case serving as another stark reminder of the ongoing challenges the country faces in tackling the issue.
