The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned Kenyan marathoner Titus Ekiru for ten years running from June 28, 2022, to June 27, 2032.
In a statement on October 16, the AIU said Ekiru colluded with a high-ranking doctor at a Kenyan hospital to obstruct the AIU’s probe into two Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFS), using false/misleading information and documentation.
“In addition to the ban, Ekiru’s results on and since 16 May 2021 have been disqualified, resulting in the forfeiture of all prizes and money,” read the statement in parts.
Ekiru tested positive twice for the Presence of Prohibited Substances, or their metabolites or markers, in his in-competition urine samples at marathons which he won in 2021: the Generali Milano Marathon on May 16, 2021 (triamcinolone acetonide) and the Abu Dhabi Marathon on November 26, 2021 (pethidine and its marker norpethidine).
Ekiru, a promising athlete
Ekiru’s victory in the Generali Milano Marathon would have made him the sixth-fastest marathoner of all time.
In July 2023, he was charged with two counts of the Presence of a Prohibited Substance, as per Rule 2.1 of the of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), and two counts of Tampering or Attempted Tampering with any part of Doping Control (ADR Rule 2.5).
Initially, Ekiru signaled his intention to contest the charges. However, faced with substantial evidence against him, the Kenyan athlete decided that he no longer wanted to pursue the case.
As a result, the AIU requested the termination of the disciplinary proceedings that had been instigated before the Disciplinary Tribunal and issued a decision in the case, treating the two Presence charges and the first Tampering or Attempted Tampering charge as a single Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
In this regard, the period of ineligibility is based on the violation that carries the more severe sanction – four years for the Rule 2.5 (Tampering) violation – plus two years for Aggravating Circumstances totaling six years.
Another mandatory four-year sanction has been imposed for the second Tampering violation committed by Ekiru in connection with his explanation for the second Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF), which is to be served consecutively t to the six-year period for the two.
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Marathoner Hospital Visits
AIU Chair David Howman today revealed the full details of the case and appreciated assistance from the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).
Howman said the AIU acquired hospital information which showed discrepancies in Ekiru’s explanations and supporting documentation for the AAFs which he contended stemmed from prescribed medications for injury treatments.
“Deeper investigation unearthed Ekiru’s collusion with a senior doctor in Nandi County from whom, on two occasions (April 29, 2021, and May 6, 2021), the athlete received injections of triamcinolone acetonide during undocumented hospital visits.
In relation to the second AAF, there was a third undocumented hospital treatment on 19 November 2021, during which Ekiru received a pethidine injection and meperidine (pethidine) tablets (among other medication) for acute pain,” said Howman.
“The outcome in this case is testimony to the collaboration between the AIU and ADAK, but even more so to the important co-operation from the most senior medical official of the Nandi County Government who provided significant evidence needed to ascertain the truth in this case and uncover the complicity of a senior doctor working in one of the County hospitals,” noted Howman.
“Government officials are now working alongside ADAK and the AIU to uncover doping in Kenyan athletics and expose the networks that may be involved. For athletes involved in doping and the entourage who assist them, there is one strong message from this case there is nowhere to hide,” added Howman.
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About the AIU
The AIU is the independent body created by the World Athletics that manages all integrity issues – both doping and non-doping – for the sport of athletics.
The remit of the AIU includes anti-doping, the pursuit of individuals engaged in age or competition results manipulation, investigating fraudulent behavior with regards to transfers of allegiance, and detecting other misconduct including bribery and breaches of betting rules.
It is the AIU’s role to drive cheats out of our sport, and to do everything within its power to support honest athletes around the world who dedicate their lives to reaching their sporting goals through dedication and hard work.
