Jeptoo’s fate sealed after B sample tests positive
Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo’s fate seems to have been sealed after her “B” Sample urine test corroborated her “A” Sample that tested positive for the banned substance Erythropoietin (EPO).
It’s now all in vain for Jeptoo, who made history as the first person to win four consecutive World Marathon Majors Series with back-to-back victories in the Boston and Chicago Marathons.
Her victories that counted for 100 points to put her in line for the US$ 1m (Sh 90m) World Marathon Majors Series will as good be erased with the possibility of her serving at least a two-year ban by Athletics Kenya.
However, AK vice president David Okeyo said they will have to follow the usual protocol where Jeptoo must appear for the hearing of her case and official verdict in the first week of January.
“Athletics Kenya has received the results of the B sample analysis of the above mentioned athlete as per her request and in line with IAAF Rules and Regulations,” said a statement from Athletics on Friday.
CONFIRMED FINDING
“The results of the analysis of the B sample which was conducted December 17 to 19, 2014 at the WADA accredited laboratory of Lausanne confirmed the finding of the A sample.”
“We shall present the “B” Sample test results to her again and then the commission will decide the sentence,” said Okeyo
Jeptoo is the fourth Kenyan to test positive to EPO in the pool of 26, who doped in the last three years. The other three received two years ban.
They are Wilson Loyanaye Erupe, who doped on January 4, 2014 and is due back February 3, 2015, Lilian Jelagat, who tested on June 29, 2014 and will be eligible to compete on July 18, 2015 and Ronald Ruto, who doped on April 23, 2012 but returned to competition on June 5 this year.
Jeptoo’s urine sample was collected out of competition in Eldoret on September 24, 2014 with the test results coming out just days before the New York Marathon race that was due for November 2.
The first hearing for this case was held on November 4, 2014 at Athletics Kenya where the athlete applied for the testing of the B sample which was conducted in her presence and manager.
PERSONAL BEST
In 2013, Jeptoo won Boston Marathon in a time of 2:26:25, and the Chicago Marathon in a time of 2:19:57 (personal best). The 33-year-old athlete defended her Boston Marathon title in April winning with a time of 2:18:57 and setting a new course record before also retaining her Chicago Marathon in October, winning with a time of 2:24:35.
Jeptoo is the first top athlete to fail dope test since Matthew Kisorio two years. Kisorio completed his two-year ban in July this year. Both athletes are under Federico Rosa and Claudio Berardelli’s stable but Kisorio was sidelined after finishing his ban.
Jeptoo has been left to hang dry after Rosa and Berardelli disassociated themselves with the athlete’s doping saga with athletes in their camp too telling Jeptoo to carry on cross.
Jeptoo’s failed drug test and the expose by German television ARD on drug abuse by Russian and Kenyans athletes and linking it to a cover up by IAAF have sent things spinning at Athletics Kenya.
The German ARD documentary alleged that 150 athletes among them 25 Kenyans had suspicious blood values and were not subject to proper targeted testing afterwards.