By the 254.ke Newsroom
Peres Jepchirchir, Kenya’s Olympic and world marathon champion, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after an out-of-competition sample collected in Kenya returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO, a banned blood-boosting drug. The AIU announced the suspension on October 23, 2026. As of November 4, 2026, none of the published reports quotes Jepchirchir herself responding to the finding.
What does a provisional suspension mean?
A provisional suspension bars an athlete from competing while the case is investigated. It is not a final sanction, and Sydney Marathon organisers said the 33-year-old “is entitled to due process”, as reported by Al Jazeera citing Reuters. The reports reviewed do not set out her appeal rights or the length of any eventual ban.
Key facts at a glance
- Who: Peres Jepchirchir, 33, Tokyo 2020 Olympic marathon champion and reigning world marathon champion (Tokyo 2025).
- Allegation: adverse analytical finding for EPO (erythropoietin) in an out-of-competition sample.
- Sample: collected in Kenya before her Sydney Marathon win on August 30, 2026, where she ran 2:18:31.
- Announced by: the Athletics Integrity Unit, October 23, 2026.
- Major wins: New York 2021, Boston 2022, London 2024, Sydney 2026.
What have her camp and the organisers said?
Her agent, Gianni Demadonna, told Reuters he felt “terrible” about the news and that an athlete who uses performance-enhancing drugs “should be disqualified”, according to Al Jazeera. In comments to AFP carried by Citizen Digital, he said he learned of the positive test only days before the announcement and had trusted her after 13 years of working together.
The Sydney Marathon said it was “extremely disappointed” and would comment no further until the process concludes. The reports do not say whether her Sydney result will be annulled.
How has Kenyan athletics reacted?
Barnabas Korir, Athletics Kenya’s youth development director and a National Olympic Committee of Kenya vice president, told AFP it was a big disappointment coming soon after Kenya was awarded the 2029 World Athletics Championships. “We are in shock,” he said. His remarks were not issued as an official Athletics Kenya statement.
Citizen Digital, citing AFP, reports more than 140 Kenyan athletes have been suspended or banned by the AIU since 2017, and that World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka visited Kenya earlier in October and called for zero tolerance on doping. The 2029 hosting award is likely to increase scrutiny of Kenya’s anti-doping policies, the agency reported.
Why does this matter for Kenya’s 2029 bid and marathon season?
The case lands weeks after Nairobi won the right to host the championships. 254.ke has covered that decision in Nairobi wins 2029 World Athletics Championships bid, and Kenya’s marathon strength was on show at the New York City Marathon, where Sheila Chepkirui won. The Standard reports the suspension also comes as Kenya prepares for the 2027 world championships in Beijing.
For context, the AIU’s own rules and case list are published on its website at athleticsintegrity.org.
Frequently asked questions
What is EPO?
EPO, or erythropoietin, stimulates red blood cell production and is banned in sport because it can improve endurance.
Has Peres Jepchirchir been banned?
No final ban has been announced. She is provisionally suspended while the AIU case proceeds.
Which race is linked to the sample?
The AIU said the out-of-competition sample was collected in Kenya before her Sydney Marathon win on August 30, 2026.
Has she responded?
The reports reviewed by 254.ke carry statements from her agent but none from Jepchirchir. This article will be updated if she or the AIU comments.
Sources: Al Jazeera (Reuters), Citizen Digital (AFP), The Standard.
