Titus Ekiru, the Kenyan marathon runner who secured victory at the Milan marathon in May 2021, has been slapped with a ten-year suspension for doping and for obstructing the subsequent investigation, according to an announcement by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The 31-year-old athlete tested positive for a banned substance after his unexpected triumph in the Milan marathon, where he had set a remarkable time of 2 hours, 2 minutes, and 57 seconds. Another positive test was recorded in November of the same year, this time in Abu Dhabi, as confirmed by the AIU in a press release.
Ekiru had claimed that this positive result was due to legal medical treatment he received for his injuries. However, the authorities found this explanation insufficient.
A relatively lesser-known figure in the athletic world, Ekiru had astonished experts in the field with his exceptional timing, equaling the former world record set by his compatriot Denis Kimetto in 2014 (2 hours, 2 minutes, and 57 seconds). This record had been surpassed twice by Eliud Kipchoge in 2018 and 2022, and eventually broken by Kelvin Kiptum on October 8 in Chicago (2 hours, 35 seconds).
Ekiru was initially placed under provisional suspension on June 28, 2022, for the use of triamcinolone acetonide, a glucocorticoid that had been entirely banned since January 2022, and pethidine, a narcotic. The confirmation of his suspension implies that he will be barred from participating in races until 2032.
In addition to the suspension, Ekiru has been stripped of his titles, and all his results achieved since the Milan race, as well as any prizes won, have been invalidated.
The AIU’s investigation uncovered deliberate attempts by Ekiru to obstruct their inquiry, including collusion with a doctor at a Kenyan hospital. The AIU stated that “Initially, Ekiru expressed his intention to contest the allegations. But confused by substantial evidence against him, the Kenyan athlete decided not to pursue the proceedings.”
The AIU has requested the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) to refer the doctor involved to the country’s law enforcement authorities for further investigation.
Kenya has witnessed a surge in doping cases in recent years, which has cast a shadow on its reputation as a powerhouse in athletics. Over the past five years, nearly 70 athletes, primarily long-distance runners, have faced bans for doping-related offenses.
SUPPORT NIGERIAN CANADIAN NEWSPAPER CANADA
If you like our work and want to keep enjoying what we offer, kindly support us by donating to the Nigerian Canadian News by clicking here
Share your thoughts in the comments section below
Do you want to share any news or information with us? If yes, contact the publisher at publisher@test1.nascitest.club
