Kenya’s Agnes Barsosio handed five-year ban for doping

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned Kenyan athlete Agnes Jeruto Barsosio for five years for committing an anti-doping offence.

In a statement, AIU disclosed that Barsosio used a prohibited blood boosting substance as recorded on the athlete’s biological passport- a mechanism used to pick up on indications of doping in an athlete’s blood system.

While the offence attracts an eligibility period of four years, Barsosio will serve a further one year due to the seriousness of the violation with the ban commencing on September 6, this year when the ruling was made.

“The AIU considered that the Passport provided evidence of the Athlete’s Use of a Prohibited Substance (an erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) such as recombinant erythropoietin (EPO)) or a Prohibited Method on multiple occasions, and that aggravating Circumstances were therefore present that justified an increase in the otherwise applicable period of Ineligibility of four (4) years, by an additional period of two (2) years based on the seriousness of the violation and the nature of the aggravating circumstances,” a statement from AIU read.

According to AIU, the athlete admitted the anti-doping rule violation hence the reduction of a year on her ineligibility period.

“The Athlete shall therefore receive a one (1) year reduction in the asserted period of Ineligibility pursuant to Rule 10.8.1 based on an early admission and acceptance of sanction.”

The 41-year old won the inaugural edition of the Nairobi City Marathon last year and is also the winner of the Hangzhou Marathon in 2019.

Similarly, all the athlete’s results will be disqualified from May 9, 2022.