Kenya’s Anyango is temporarily banned for doping

Emmaculate Anyango Achol, a Kenyan cross-country runner, failed a doping test on Friday and was given a temporary suspension. The test found that she had used the banned drugs testosterone and the blood-boosting hormone EPO.

In Valencia in January, Agnes Jebet Ngetich, a Kenyan, set a world record with a time of 28:46, making Anyango, 24, the second woman to finish a 10 km race in less than 29 minutes (28:57). She came in second place behind Ngetich.

The temporary ban will last until her case is over. If she is found guilty, the ban could last for four years.

Anyango came in fourth place at the 2024 World Cross Country Championships. She helped Kenya win the gold title as a team.

Lawrence Cherono, who used to win the Boston and Chicago marathons, was banned for seven years in July after being found guilty of breaking anti-doping rules.

Rhonex Kipruto held the world record for the 10 km road race in Kenya until he was caught cheating and banned for six years in June. As a result, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) took away his world record.

Kenya has put a lot of money into its fight against doping. But in the past three years, about 70 athletes have been punished for breaking the rules about drugs.

A new report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says it recently voiced concerns to Kenya’s Sports Ministry about the government’s decision to cut the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya’s (ADAK) annual operating budget by almost 90% compared to the previous year. The WADA said this was because of the possible effects on Kenyan athletes.