Sports · Running & Athletics · 1 hr ago
Peres Jepchirchir provisionally suspended after EPO test finding
Kenyan runner Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit after a sample showed an adverse finding for EPO.
The sample was collected in Kenya before her August victory at the Sydney Marathon, where she ran 2:18:31.
Jepchirchir, 33, is the reigning world marathon champion and won Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
A provisional suspension is not a finding of guilt, and she can respond to the allegation and challenge the result through the disciplinary process.
EPO can increase red blood cell production and is banned in sport because it can improve endurance.
She cannot compete while the case is pending, and the matter must be resolved through the applicable process.
If she is sanctioned, she could also be required to give up her Sydney winnings of AUD$30,000.
The Athletics Integrity Unit provisionally suspended Peres Jepchirchir after an out-of-competition sample collected in Kenya showed an adverse analytical finding for EPO.
The sample was collected before her victory at the Sydney Marathon on 30 August 2026.
Jepchirchir, 33, won the race in 2:18:31 and is the reigning world marathon champion.
A provisional suspension bars her from competing while the case is unresolved, but does not mean she has been found guilty.
She can respond to the allegation and challenge the finding through the disciplinary process.
- Who
- Peres Jepchirchir, a Kenyan marathon runner and reigning world champion.
- What
- She was provisionally suspended after an out-of-competition sample showed an adverse analytical finding for EPO.
- When
- Announced on 23 October 2026; the sample was collected before her 30 August 2026 Sydney Marathon victory.
- Where
- The sample was collected in Kenya.
- Why
- The Athletics Integrity Unit said the sample returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Jepchirchir provided an out-of-competition sample in Kenya that later returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO.
Jepchirchir won the Sydney Marathon in 2:18:31.
The Athletics Integrity Unit announced her provisional suspension.
- Athlete
- Peres Jepchirchir
- Finding
- Adverse analytical finding for EPO
- Sample location
- Kenya
- Sydney Marathon date
- 30 August 2026
- Sydney winning time
- 2:18:31
5 sources
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Marathon world champion Peres Jepchirchir suspended after positive EPO test
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The AIU has provisionally suspended reigning World and former Olympic champion, Peres Jepchirchir, after an out-of-competition sample, collected in Kenya prior to her recent Sydney Marathon victory, returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO.
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The AIU has provisionally suspended reigning World and former Olympic champion, Peres Jepchirchir, after an out-of-competition sample, collected in Kenya prior to her recent Sydney Marathon victory, returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO. 1/2