Sixth fastest marathoner Ekiru latest Kenyan athlete suspended over doping

Kenyan marathoner Titus Ekiru has been provisionally suspended by Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for the presence of a prohibited substances (Triamcinolone Acetonide and metabolite; Pethidine and metabolite).

The AIU said on Monday that the 31-year-old marathoner faces two charges for doping and two more for tampering.

The sixth-fastest marathoner of all time, Ekiru now faces a 10-year ban but has the right to defend himself before the Disciplinary Tribunal.

Ekiru ran a time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, 57 seconds to win the Milan Marathon in May 2021 to place him in sixth in history. The current record is 2:01:09 by Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin last year.

Ekiru tested positive at the Italian race for the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide, which is prohibited for use in-competition unless an athlete is granted an exemption for medical use.

The AIU said a first investigation into the Milan positive test was closed, then reopened when Ekiru also tested positive for a synthetic opioid while winning in Abu Dhabi in November 2021.

“The athlete tested positive for pethidine after winning in Abu Dhabi, and again claimed the outcome resulted from legitimate medical treatment,” the AIU said.

Ekiru was provisionally suspended one year ago and was later charged with suspected doping violations in March and April, the AIU said.

Two more charges of tampering have now been added for the runner “submitting falsified medical explanations and documentation to the AIU for both positive tests,” the AIU said.

posted Monday July 3rd
by Samuel Nganga