Kenya's Kipyokei gets 6-year doping ban, stripped of Boston Marathon title

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) – Kenyan long-distance runner Diana Chemtai Kipyokei has faced a six-year drug ban to lose her 2021 Boston Marathon title.

The Athletics Integrity Unit said in a statement on Tuesday that it has banned two Kenyan marathoners – Diana Kipyokei and Purity Rionoripo – for six years and five years, respectively, "for violations of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, following thorough investigations which led to doping and tampering charges against both athletes."

It also said Kipyokei "will be disqualified as the 2021 Boston Marathon women's winner."

Her ineligibility started on June 27 when the Athletics Integrity Unit provisionally suspended her, the independent body added.

Kipyokei, 28, was confirmed to have used triamcinolone acetonide, a prohibited substance.

Kenya's Edna Kiplagat, who previously came second in the 2021 Boston Marathon, was elevated to the women's champion of the race.

So Kiplagat won the title in 2017 and 2021.

The annual Boston Marathon is one of the six major marathons.

Kipyokei's compatriot Rionoripo, 29, who was the 2017 Paris Marathon winner, was also given a lengthy ban for testing positive for diuretic furosemide.

After a positive urine sample in May, Rionoripo was also confirmed to have misinformed the athletics giant.

Founded by the World Athletics in 2017, the Athletics Integrity Unit is an independent body that combats doping in athletics.