Lucy Kabuu Handed Two-Year Ban by Athletics Intergrity Unit (AIU)

Milano Marathon champion Lucy Kabuu was handed a two- year ban on Monday after she tested positive for prohibited substance morphine.



The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), an independent organization that manages all threats to the integrity of the sport of athletics, confirmed the ban in a message on social media. 



"A Tribunal Decision has been issued against Kenyan distance runner Lucy Kabuu Wangui under Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of IAAF Organization rules: 2 years ineligibility from 01 Aug 18 and disqualification of results 08 April 18 - 01 Aug 18," read a tweet from the athletics body.



The ban will in essence run from August 1-2018- when she was suspended, until August 1, 2020, dealing a big blow to her career.



In its ruling, AIU also ordered that the athlete’s result in the Milan Marathon 2018 be disqualified.

Furthermore, it ordered the forfeiture of any medals, titles, awards, points, prize and appearance money she received during 8 April 2018 and 1 August 2018.



The 34-year-old Olympian has a personal best record of 2:19.34 she attained at the Dubai Marathon in 2012 and her last race coming at the Delhi Half Marathon in 2013, in which she finished third.



Kabuu joins four other high profile Kenyans who have recently tested positive to banned substances.



In May 2018, Kenya's former Olympic and three-time world 1,500m champion, Asbel Kiprop, failed a doping test.



Sprinter Boniface Mweresa who won silver in the 400m and gold in the 4x400m at the 2015 African Games in Brazzaville also also tested positive for banned substances.



2017 Athens Marathon Winner, Samuel Kalalei, was slapped with a four-year ban by the athletics body for testing positive for blood-booster EPO.