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Nairobi marathon winner hit with doping ban

2013-03-22 11:58 AIPS

NAIROBI, March 21, 2013 - Doping moved back into the spotlight on Wednesday, as Athletics Kenya, AK confirmed two year doping bans for marathoners Salome Biwott and Jynocel Basweti Onyancha.

This brings to five the number of marathoners banned for doping in a month, and comes hot in the heels of a controversial allegation by former World 3000 meters steeplechase champion Moses Kiptanui that doping was widespread amongst the country’s renowned distance runners.

AK Secretary General David Okeyo on Wednesday confirmed that Biwott, 30, the winner of the Standard Chartered Nairobi marathon champion in 2:26.41 and the 2012 Kassel marathon had been banned for two years for doping violation. 25-year-old Onyancha who ran at the International De Cullacan in Mexico was also handed out a similar ban.

“Athletics Kenya has sanctioned the following athletes for two years for doping offences. Salome Jerono Biwott who participated in the Standard Chartered marathon on 28th October, 2012 has been sanctioned with effect from 25th January, 2013 until 25th January, 2015,”read the statement signed by Okeyo.

“Jynocel Basweti Onyancha who participated in the 23rd Marathon International De Cullacan in Mexico on 22nd January, 2012 has been sanctioned with effect 5th July, 2012 until 5th July, 2014."

Last month, Seoul Marathon champion Wilson Loyanae Erupe, Nixon Kiplagat and Moses Kiptoo Kurgat were banned after returning positive doping tests for blood booster Erythropoietin, EPO. All the three were banned for two years. (By Evelyn Watta,AIPS Executive Committee Member, www.sportsnewsarena.com)

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