The Athletics Integrity Unit of track and field's governing body has provisionally suspended 2021 Boston Marathon winner Diana Kipyokei for alleged doping, after the Kenyan runner tested positive for a banned substance following that race.
According to the AIU, Kipyokei also "obstructed or attempted to delay" the governing body's investigation "through the provision of false information or documentation."
The suspension for Kipyokei, 28, is still in the "provisional" stage, meaning the Kenyan racer shall remain the women's 2021 Boston Marathon champion — for now.
However, if the AIU's Disciplinary Tribunal finds that Kipyokei committed the violations, she would subsequently lose her Boston Marathon title and face a suspension of four years.
The AIU didn't elaborate as to what constituted Kipyokei's post-race obstruction conduct. Instead, the governing body revealed that Kipyokei's post-race test included traces of metabolite of triamcinolone acetonide, a glucocorticoid that's banned for in-competition use when administered through prohibited routes.
For major competitions like the Boston Marathon, athletes must receive a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for glucocorticoids — steroids which can enhance athletic performance when administered a certain way.
At the time of Kipyokei's positive test, glucocorticoids could only be administered via injection. It's worth noting, though, that the rule has reportedly changed in the aftermath. Glucocorticoids can now be administered through other means.
Kipyokei's second major marathon victory occurred in the 2021 Boston Marathon — at a time of 2:24:45.
Prior to that, Kipyokei claimed the 2020 Istanbul Marathon title.
In its Friday announcement, the AIU also said 10 Kenyan athletes tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide between 2021 and 2022 — including Kenyan marathoner Betty Wilson Lempus, who has been suspended along with Kipyokei.
During that time period, only two non-Kenyan athletes tested positive for the banned substance (triamcinolone acetonide).
On Thursday, Kenyan marathoner and endurance racer Mark Kangogo received a three-year ban over similar doping claims.
Through the Athletics Integrity Unit, track and field became the first sport internationally to delegate complete authority for the management of its integrity programs to an independent body.
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