Josephine Chepkoech was banned for seven years amid positive testosterone doping test

The Athletics Federation has banned Josephine Chepkoech for seven years for a positive testosterone doping test from May 7, 2024. The results of the Kenyan athlete of February 18 this year have also been cancelled. The 2019 Geneva Marathon winner’s punishment takes effect on May 9, 2024.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced that on February 18, Josephine Chepkoech provided urine for a test at the Seville Marathon, where she finished second, and later it became clear that banned substances were also found in this sample.

“The AIU has banned Josephine Chepkoech (Kenya) for 7 years from 7 May 2024, for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone). DQ results from 18 February, 2024”, announced the AIU.

Laboratory analysis conducted at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited facility in Madrid detected the presence of Sa-androstane-3047 diol (5αAdion) and 5β-androstane-3α,17β diol (5βAdiol), both metabolites of testosterone, signaling an adverse analytical finding.

These substances fall within the category of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) and are strictly prohibited at all times according to the WADA 2024 Prohibited List.

This is the second punishment for the Kenyan athlete for violating anti-doping rules. She was disqualified from racing for two years from 2015 to 2017. Josephine Chepkoech was due to receive an 8-year sentence, but because she pleaded guilty, it was reduced to 7 years.