Dj Vnyash
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has announced a two-year suspension for Reuben Kiprop Kipyego, the 2021 Milan Marathon winner, due to multiple anti-doping rule violations.
Kipyego, 27, was found guilty of three whereabouts failures within a twelve-month period, resulting in his ban from competitive athletics.
The violations began on September 8, 2023, when Kipyego was not available at his reported location in Kaptagat, Kenya, during a scheduled testing window. This was followed by another missed test in Kapsabet, Kenya, on January 5, 2024, and a third failure on March 12, 2024, in Lessos, Kenya, when Kipyego’s whereabouts information was inaccurate, and he was not found at the specified location.
Despite multiple opportunities to provide explanations and request reviews, Kipyego failed to respond to the AIU’s inquiries and notices. Consequently, the AIU issued a Notice of Charge on June 28, 2024, confirming Kipyego’s suspension starting from May 27, 2024, the date of his provisional suspension.
All his results since March 12, 2024, have been disqualified, resulting in the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and appearance money earned during that period.
The AIU emphasized the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations, stating, “The Athlete’s commission of three Whereabouts Failures in a twelve-month period constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Rule 2.4 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.”
The AIU further stated, “Despite being afforded multiple opportunities to provide explanations and request reviews, the Athlete failed to respond within the given deadlines. On the basis that the Athlete is deemed to have admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Rule 2.4 ADR, the AIU confirms by this decision the following Consequences for a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation: a period of Ineligibility of two (2) years commencing on 27 May 2024, and disqualification of the Athlete’s results since 12 March 2024, with all resulting Consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and appearance money.”
In addition to his Milan Marathon victory, Kipyego also won the Abu Dhabi Marathon in 2019. His last competition was at the Rotterdam Marathon, where he clocked 2:05:12 to finish third.
