Reuben Kipyego Banned for Two Years Following Anti-Doping Violations

Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has announced a two-year ban for the 2021 Milan Marathon winner Reuben Kiprop Kipyego following multiple anti-doping rule violations.

Kipyego, 27, has been found guilty of three whereabouts failures within a twelve-month period, leading to his suspension from competitive athletics.

The violations began on September 8, 2023, when Kipyego was not available at his reported location in Kaptagat, Kenya, during a scheduled testing window.

This was followed by another missed test in Kapsabet, Kenya, on January 5, 2024.

The third failure occurred on March 12, 2024, in Lessos, Kenya, when Kipyego's whereabouts information was inaccurate, and he was not found at the specified location.

Despite multiple opportunities to provide explanations and request reviews, Kipyego failed to respond to the AIU's inquiries and notices.

Consequently, the AIU issued a Notice of Charge on June 28, 2024, and confirmed Kipyego's suspension starting from May 27, 2024, the date of his provisional suspension.

All his results since March 12, 2024, have been disqualified, resulting in the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and appearance money earned during that period.

In its statement, the AIU emphasised the importance of adhering to anti-doping regulations.

"The Athlete’s commission of three Whereabouts Failures in a twelve-month period constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Rule 2.4 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules," the AIU noted.

"Despite being afforded multiple opportunities to provide explanations and request reviews, the Athlete failed to respond within the given deadlines."

The AIU further stated, "On the basis that the Athlete is deemed to have admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation under Rule 2.4 ADR, the AIU confirms by this decision the following Consequences for a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation: a period of Ineligibility of two (2) years commencing on 27 May 2024, and disqualification of the Athlete’s results since 12 March 2024, with all resulting Consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and appearance money."

Apart from Milan, Kipyego was also victorious at the Abu Dhabi Marathon in 2019. His last competition was at the Rotterdam Marathon where he clocked 2:05:12 to finish third.