Kenya’s Olympic champion Jemima Sumgong awhile back suffered a major hit after she was banned from the track for four years in allegations of doping to which she claimed she was taking EPO for an ectopic pregnancy but her defence was rejected.
Sadly, she’s taking another hard hit as the 2016 Olympic marathon champion has had her doping ban increased to eight years after her claims that she was injected with EPO by an ‘imposter’ at a Kenyan hospital during a doctor’s strike were dismissed.
That ban was doubled by the IAAF on Friday after the tribunal, chaired by Michael Beloff QC, decided Sumgong had committed a second anti-doping offence of “tampering with a doping control”. Because of changes to the World Anti-Doping Agency code the Kenyan was able to be punished with another four-year ban.
The news was welcomed by Brett Clothier, the head of the Athletics Integrity Unit, who said it struck a blow against doping in Kenyan. “We hope that it sends a message to dopers that the AIU has strong investigative capabilities and does not tolerate false evidence in doping cases,” he said.
“We also want to underline the vital support of Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya in pursuing this case. They are a valuable partner in the fight against doping in Kenya.”
Jemima has been banned until April 3 2025