Dark days ahead as Rita Jeptoo’s ‘B’ test confirms EPO presence

Rita Jeptoo’s fate seems to have been sealed after her “B” sample corroborated her “A” test that turned out positive for prohibited substance Erythropoietin (EPO).

A ban is inevitable for Jeptoo, who made history as the first person to win four consecutive World Marathon Majors Series when she defended her Boston and Chicago Marathon titles.

Her victories that counted for 100 points to put her in line for the $1 million (Sh90 m) World Marathon Majors Series is now an exercise in futility as she expect at least two years ban by Athletics Kenya.

(READ: Only ‘B’ sample can save celebrated Jeptoo)

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 Kenya on Friday. “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.”

Okeyo said: “We shall present the “B” sample test results to her again and then the commission will decide the sentence.”

FOURTH KENYAN

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 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 at Athletics Kenya where the athlete applied for the testing of the B sample which was conducted in her presence and manager.

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 a 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 side lined after finishing his ban.

Jeptoo has been left to hang dry after Rosa and Berardelli disassociated themselves from the athlete’s doping saga with athletes in their camp too telling Jeptoo to carry her own 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.

(READ: Report shows doping rampant in Kenyan sport)

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.

RITA JEPTOO FACTFILE

• Born on February 15, 1981, Jeptoo won her maiden marathon race, the 2004 Stockholm Marathon before going for a second victory at the Milan Marathon. She finished third at the 2005 Turin Marathon and seventh at the 2005 World Championships.
• Her finest moment came when she set a personal best time of 2:23:38 while winning the Boston Marathon in 2006. She followed that up by winning the Paris Half Marathon in 1:09:56 the same year. She won bronze medal at the 2006 World Road Running Championships and placed fourth at the New York City Marathon the same year.
• She finished fourth in the 2007 Boston but bounced back to win the Lisbon Half Marathon that year, and would finish seventh in the marathon at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics. She ended her 2007 with a new course record at the Obudu Ranch International Mountain Race, earning $50,000 (Sh4.5 million).
• In 2008, she won the Portugal Half Marathon, finished third at the Boston Marathon and fourth at the New York Marathon before taking maternity leave.
• She returned in 2011 to finish sixth at the Rotterdam Marathon in 2:28:09 hours before settling for fifth at the Frankfurt Marathon, in 2:25:44. She came sixth at the 2012 Boston Marathon but delivered her best performance in half a decade at the 2012 Chicago Marathon to finish second in 2:22:04.
• In 2013, she won both the Boston Marathon in a time of 2:26:25, and the Chicago Marathon in a personal best time of 2:19:57.
• She defended her Boston Marathon title in 2014, winning with a time of 2:18:57 and setting a new course record. She defended her Chicago Marathon title in 2014, winning with a time of 2:24:35. That saw her collect 100 points to put her in line for the World Marathon Majors Series.
• Tested positive to banned Erythropoietin (EPO) in November and she awaiting sentencing in January.

KENYANS CAUGHT SO FAR

MEN

• Jynocel Onyancha  Basweti: Tested positive for Boldenone, January 22, 2012; Banned for two years.
• Wilson Loyanaye Erupe: Tested positive for Erythropoietin (Epo), January 4, 2014; Banned for two years ban
• Nahashon Kimaiyo: Tested positive for Prednisolone, November 25, 2012. One year ban.
• Ben Andrew Kimutai: Tested positive for Dexamethasone, November 18, 2012. One year ban.
• Nixon Kiplagat: Tested positive for Norandrosterone, November 4. Banned for two years
• Mathew Kisorio: Tested positive for Norandrosterone, June 14, 2014. Banned for two years.
• Moses Kiptoo Kurgat: Tested positive for Salbutamol, October 23, 2012. Banned for two years.
• Cosmas Kyeva: Tested positive for Norandrosterone, February 5, 2012. Banned for two years.
• Anthony Wairuri: Tested positive for Norandrosterone, October 28, 2012. Banned for two year.

WOMEN

• Salome Jerono Biwott: Tested positive for Norandrosterone, October 28, 2012. Banned for two years.
• Lilian Jelagat: Tested positive for Erythropoietin (Epo), June 29, 2014. Banned for two years.
• Peris Jepkorirm: Tested positive for Norandrosterone, July 5, 2013. Banned for two years.
• Pauline Kahenya: Prednisone and Prednisolone, March 3, 2013. One-year ban.
• Genoveva KIgen: Tested positive for Clenbuterol, July 28, 2012. Banned for two years.
• Rael Kiyara: Tested for Norandrosterone, April 29, 2012. Banned for two years.
• Asiba Nyaboke: Tested positive for Norandrosterone, November 4, 2012. Banned for two years.
• Ronald Ruto: Erythropoietin, April 23, 2012. Banned for two years.
• Viola Chelangat Kimetto: Norandrosterone, December 1, 2013. Banned for two years.
• Joyce Jemutai Kiplimo: April 20, 2014, Norandrosterone. Banned for two years.

PENDING CASES

• Elizabeth Jebet Chelagat
• Philip Kibiwot Kandie, Epo January 2014.
• Maunga James Nyakabira
• Ndirangu Alice
• Isaac Kimaiyo Kemboi
• Bernard Mwendia Muthoni