Jepchirchir provisionally suspended after EPO finding
The sample was collected out of competition in Kenya before the Sydney Marathon, the Athletics Integrity Unit says.
Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended after an out-of-competition sample collected in Kenya returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO, the Athletics Integrity Unit says. The sample was taken before her Sydney Marathon win.
The AIU describes Jepchirchir as the reigning world champion and a former Olympic champion, a former world record holder in the half marathon, and a four-time World Marathon Major winner, with Sydney in 2026, London in 2024, Boston in 2022 and New York in 2021. Jonathan Gault adds the 2021 Olympic marathon title and three World Half Marathon titles to the list, and calls it "one of the biggest doping busts ever if the suspension is upheld."
One of the biggest doping busts ever if the suspension is upheld.
What the agent says
Gault spoke to Jepchirchir's agent, Gianni Demadonna, who said doping control officers initially were not granted access to her house on the day of the test and had to call him before they could be let in. That account is covered in more detail earlier.
The prize money argument
Steve Magness turned the news into a reckoning over what the results cost other runners. He wrote that Jepchirchir "essentially stole at least $1.5 million in prize money alone in her career," plus more in appearance fees and sponsorship, and said Molly Seidel should have an Olympic silver and a New York bronze and Susanna Sullivan a World Championships bronze.
"These people steal moments, money, and careers," Magness wrote.
These people steal moments, money, and careers.
What it actually means
Nothing has been decided. A provisional suspension is a hold while the case proceeds, and the AIU has announced one adverse finding from one sample. Gault's framing is conditional on the suspension being upheld, and the $1.5 million figure is Magness's own estimate, not a number from the AIU. The results Magness wants reallocated have not been changed by anyone.
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