The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has imposed a two-year ban on Kenyan marathon runner Careen Cheptoek after she admitted to violating anti-doping regulations.
In a statement, the authority announced that Cheptoek was banned for using a prohibited substance, specifically Methylprednisolone.
“The AIU has banned Careen Cheptoek (Kenyan) for two years from February 19, 2025, for the presence and use of a prohibited substance (Methylprednisolone).
Methylprednisolone is a Prohibited Substance under the WADA 2024 Prohibited List under the category S9. Glucocorticoids is a Specified Substance prohibited In-Competition when administered by any injectable, oral or rectal route,” the statement read.
According to the Athletics Integrity Union (AIU), there is no evidence that the Anti-Doping Rule Violations committed by the athlete were intentional.
As a result, the period of ineligibility imposed is two years.
Athletics Integrity Unit Imposes 2 Year Ban on Careen Cheptoek
The 31-year-old athlete tested positive for Methylprednisolone after an in-competition test conducted during the Taipei City Marathon on December 15, 2024.
The positive test result was reported by a WADA-accredited laboratory in Tokyo on January 27, 2025. The AIU’s investigation determined that Cheptoek did not have a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance, and there was no evidence to suggest contamination or permissible ingestion.
Initially, Cheptoek claimed that medication she had taken might have caused the adverse finding.
However, the AIU concluded that none of the medications she mentioned contained Methylprednisolone.
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Later, the athlete indicated that shared supplement drinks within her training group could have led to inadvertent ingestion, but no evidence supported this assertion.
On February 19, 2025, Cheptoek officially accepted responsibility for the anti-doping violations and agreed to the consequences outlined by the AIU. Since this was her first offense and there was no evidence of intent, she received a two-year suspension.
The ban officially began on February 19, 2025, and all results from December 15, 2024, onward have been disqualified. This includes the forfeiture of any medals, titles, points, prizes, or appearance fees earned since the date of the violation. Cheptoek waived her right to challenge the decision and will serve her suspension until February 19, 2027.
About AIU
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is an independent organization established by World Athletics in 2017 to combat doping and address other forms of ethical misconduct in athletics.
The AIU operates separately from World Athletics to ensure impartiality and adherence to the World Anti-Doping Code.
Key Functions of the AIU
It conducts both in-competition and out-of-competition testing, which includes the collection of blood and urine samples.
It manages cases related to doping and non-doping violations. Decisions on these cases are made by an independent Disciplinary Tribunal.
Also Read: 10-km World Record Holder Kipruto Suspended over Alleged Anti-Doping Violation
Additionally,it provides resources and guidance to athletes to help them understand and comply with anti-doping rules.
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