Running News Daily

Kenyan distance runner Bernard Kibet Koech has been handed a four-year ban and disqualified by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after abnormalities were detected in his Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).

The sanction takes effect from June 10, 2025, and runs through June 9, 2029. As part of the ruling, Koech’s result from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games men’s 10,000 meters—where he finished fifth—has been officially disqualified.

ABP Abnormalities Trigger Sanction 

According to the AIU, the case was built on irregularities identified in Koech’s Athlete Biological Passport, a long-term monitoring system designed to track biological markers over time rather than rely on a single positive test. The ABP framework has become a central tool in modern anti-doping enforcement, particularly in endurance events, where performance-enhancing methods may not always be detected through traditional testing.

The AIU did not cite a specific prohibited substance but concluded that the longitudinal data showed patterns inconsistent with normal physiology, meeting the threshold required for a violation under World Athletics’ anti-doping rules.

Olympic Impact

 Koech’s fifth-place finish in Paris had stood as one of Kenya’s strong performances in the men’s 10,000 meters at the Games. With the disqualification now confirmed, the Olympic results will be adjusted accordingly, and athletes finishing behind him are expected to move up in the official standings.

A Broader Context for Distance Running

The ruling adds to a growing list of high-profile ABP cases in distance running and underscores the continued scrutiny placed on elite endurance athletes. For World Athletics and the AIU, the emphasis remains on protecting clean competitors and maintaining confidence in championship results, particularly at the Olympic level.

For Kenya—long a global powerhouse in distance running—the case represents another reminder of the ongoing challenges facing the sport, even as the country continues to produce extraordinary talent.

What Comes Next

Koech is ineligible to compete in any World Athletics-sanctioned events during the four-year ban period. Any results recorded after June 10, 2025, are subject to annulment under anti-doping regulations.

As with all ABP-based rulings, the decision reflects a process that unfolds over time, relying on accumulated data rather than a single race or test. The AIU’s announcement brings closure to that process—and a significant rewrite of the Paris 2024 men’s 10,000-meter final.