The Athletics Integrity Unity (AIU) has handed Kenyan long-distance runner Josephine Chepkoech a seven-year ban after she tested positive for the presence and use of a prohibited substance (Testosterone).

According to the Athletics Integrity Unit, the 35-year-old violated anti-doping rules for the second time in her career after an in-competition urine sample collected during February’s Zurich Marathon in Seville revealed the presence of androstane metabolites.

The AIU stated that Chepkoech was notified of the findings earlier at the beginning of this month, and she replied via an email dated May 9th, stating “Accepted” and “I have accepted.”

The Unit also revealed that the athlete sent a signed form acknowledging an Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences.

Due to her admission and acceptance of the latest sanctions, the AIU reduced the ban by one year, resulting in a period of ineligibility now standing at seven years.

Additionally, all of her results, medals, titles, awards, and prizes from February 18, 2024, have been disqualified.

This comes days after she saw her silver medal in Seville stripped, as she served an AIU-imposed provisional suspension communicated on May 8th.

Chepkoech made her marathon debut at the Nairobi Marathon in 2018, winning the race in 2:33:11. She also finished second at the Barcelona Marathon a year later in 2019, completing it in 2:25:26.

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