Kenyan athlete Rhonex Kipruto has been stripped of his world record in men’s 10-kilometer road racing and handed a six-year ban in a doping case, the latest in a series of doping scandals involving Kenyan distance runners.
A disciplinary panel concluded that abnormalities in Kipruto’s blood samples indicated “a deliberate and sophisticated doping regime,” likely with assistance from unidentified third parties. The ruling stemmed from incidents dating back to Kipruto’s bid to qualify for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
In light of the “aggravating circumstances” surrounding the case, the panel imposed a six-year ban, exceeding the standard four-year penalty for doping offenses.
Consequently, Kipruto has been disqualified from all competitions since September 2018, relinquishing a world championship bronze medal in the 10,000 meters earned in 2019, along with his 10k road record set in 2020.
The vacated world record is poised to be awarded to Ethiopian runner Berihu Aregawi, who posted a time of 26 minutes, 33 seconds in the 10k event last year, nine seconds slower than Kipruto’s record.
While no banned substances were detected in Kipruto’s system, the case hinged on data from his biological passport, revealing irregularities suggestive of blood doping.
In his defense, Kipruto cited illnesses, training irregularities, and increased alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the panel deemed his explanations insufficient and contested the validity of certain blood samples presented.
A statement on Kipruto’s website indicated he is contemplating an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, criticizing the ruling for allegedly overlooking crucial aspects of his health and circumstances.
Kipruto’s case adds to the ongoing saga of doping controversies involving Kenyan distance runners, underscoring the persistent challenges faced by athletics authorities in combating performance-enhancing drug use in the sport.