Up and coming runner Jeruto handed four-year ban for failing drug test

Gold winner Eunice Sum of Kenya (centre) poses with compatriots Janeth Jepkosgei (left) and Agatha Jeruto following the women's 800m event during the 19th Senior Africa Championship Athletics on August 14, 2014 in Marrakech. PHOTO | FADEL SENNA |

What you need to know:

  • Athletics Kenya confirmed on Friday that young and promising 800m runner, Agatha Jeruto, is among two athletes who have been punished by the body for use of prohibited substance Norandrosterone.

Another Kenyan athlete from the Rosa and Associati stable has been banned for four years after failing a drug test.

Athletics Kenya confirmed on Friday that young and promising 800m runner, Agatha Jeruto, is among two athletes who have been punished by the body for use of prohibited substance Norandrosterone.

Jeruto becomes the first Kenyan to get a four-year ban under the new IAAF rules that came to effect in January. Long distance runner Josephine Jepkoech Jepkorir was handed a two-year ban. She failed the test after victory at the 2014 Corrida de Sao Silvestre race in Angola.

Two other Kenyans - Francisca Koki and Joyce Sakari - who doped in pre-competition test at the World Championships in Beijing in August, are awaiting their fate.

“We are still investigating Sakari and Koki and we should come with the results soon,” said AK chief executive officer Isaac Mwangi.

Jeruto, a training partner to 2013 women 800m World champion, Eunice Sum and 2007 Osaka Worlds 800m champion, Janeth Jepkosgei, failed an out-of-competition test on April 14 in Eldoret.

“The samples provided by the athlete revealed the presence of the prohibited substance Norandrosterone. In reference to IAAF Rule 40.2 (a) II A four (4) year period of ineligibility has been imposed on the athlete effective 20th May 2015 and will end on 19th May 2019,” said a statement from AK.

WON SILVER

Last year, Jeruto teamed up with Sum, Jepkosgei and Sylvia Chesebe to win silver medal in 4x800m Relay at the World Relay Championships. Jeruto, Sum and Jepkosgei, who are from Rosa and Associati, represented Kenya at the Commonwealth Games held last year in Glasgow, Scotland.

Jeruto fell in the first round, Jepkosgei at the semi-finals as Sum went on to win gold.

From Glasgow, Sum, Jepkosgei and Jeruto proceeded to Marrakech, Morocco for the 2014 Africa Championships where they swept all the podium places in that order.

Jeruto did not take part in this year’s World Relay in Bahamas and the World Championships in Beijing after failing to attend the local qualifying events. Rosa and Associati managers and coaches were in April his year banned for six months by Athletics Kenya pending investigations into doping allegations.

“We are almost through with investigations and we should come out with some findings at the end of this month,” said Mwangi.