The Athletic Integrity Unit (AIU) has imposed a three-year ban on Kenyan athlete Ezekiel Kipkorir for the use of banned performance-enhancing substances.

In a statement on Friday, December 20, 2024, AIU stated that Ezekiel had been banned after test results established the presence of testosterone.

This was after the 29-year-old marathoner was asked to present his urine sample at the NMDC Hyderabad Marathon’ in Hyderabad, India, on August 24, 2024.

On November 29, 2024, the test results came back revealing the presence of testosterone and at least one of its metabolites.

In the report, it was established that the athlete did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) that had been granted (or that would be granted) for the testosterone (or its metabolites) consistent with the exogenous origin found in the sample.

On December 5, 2024, AIU notified Kipkorir of the findings and imposed an immediate provisional suspension. He was also informed of his right to admit to doping.

Consequences

Kipkorir wrote to AIU on December 12, 2024, admitting the case and accepting the consequences of his actions.

Following his admission, AIU reduced the ban from four to three years.

“On the basis that the athlete has admitted the anti-doping rule violations under Rule 2.1 ADR and Rule 2.2 ADR, in accordance with Rule 10.2.1 ADR and the application of Rule 10.8.1 ADR, the AIU confirms by this decision the following consequences for a first anti-doping rule violation: a period of ineligibility of three (3) years commencing on 5 December 2024 (the date of provisional suspension);

“Disqualification of the athlete’s results on and since August 25, 2024, with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of any medals, titles, awards, points, prizes, prize money, and appearance money. 21. The athlete has accepted the above consequences for his anti-doping rule violations and has expressly waived his right to have those consequences determined by the Disciplinary Tribunal at a hearing,” the statement read in part.

The AIU has banned Ezekiel Kipkorir (Kenya) for 3 years from 5 December 2024 for Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone). DQ results from 25 August 2024
Details here: https://t.co/sg2BtisnUz pic.twitter.com/XNhopRDkhW

— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) December 20, 2024