Renowned Kenyan marathon runner Titus Ekiru known for his impressive performances is now in hot water as he faces the possibility of a 10-year ban in a doping investigation.

Ekiru, currently ranked as the sixth-fastest man of all time in the marathon event, has been hit with two charges of positive doping tests and two additional charges of tampering.

Titus Ekiru suspended

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced Ekiru’s suspension after investigations revealed his use of prohibited substances.

The 31-year-old athlete tested positive for the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide during the Milan Marathon in May 2021.

This substance is only allowed in competition if an athlete receives a medical exemption. The AIU statement outlined the details of the charges against Ekiru, highlighting the violations discovered in his samples and the tampering allegations.

Following his victory in Milan, Ekiru’s positive test for Triamcinolone Acetonide did not immediately result in charges. He explained that the result was due to legitimate medical treatment, and the initial investigation seemed to support his claim.

Titus Ekiru tests positive

However, matters escalated when Ekiru tested positive for Pethidine after winning the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon in November 2021. Once again, he argued that the positive result was due to authorized medical treatment.

The AIU’s extensive investigation, conducted in collaboration with Kenyan authorities and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), shed light on Ekiru’s case.

The AIU reopened the investigation into his first doping violation after noticing a pattern of Triamcinolone Acetonide use among Kenyan athletes.

As a result, Ekiru was provisionally suspended in June 2022. Following comprehensive inquiries, the AIU rejected Ekiru’s explanations, leading to charges being filed in March 2023 for the Pethidine violation and in April 2023 for the Triamcinolone Acetonide violation.

In addition to the doping charges, Ekiru is also accused of tampering with the results-management processes.

“An extensive investigation by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), with important assistance from Kenyan authorities, has led to four charges for Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) against Titus Ekiru – two separate charges relating to the detection of Prohibited Substances in his samples and two separate tampering charges regarding the results-management process in each case,” a statement by AIU said.

“The 31-year-old’s charges stem from AIU investigations into Ekiru’s positive in-competition doping tests after marathon victories in the Generali Milano Marathon on 16 May 2021 and the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon on 26 November 2021,” the statement further stated.

The AIU has provisionally suspended Titus Ekiru (Kenya) for the presence of Prohibited Substances (Triamcinolone Acetonide and metabolite; Pethidine and metabolite) and for Tampering.

Details here: https://t.co/Y8LF9j2o9f pic.twitter.com/3uQgbOyn1i

— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) July 3, 2023

The AIU alleges that he submitted falsified medical explanations and documentation to support his claims for both positive tests. These tampering charges further compound the severity of the situation.

If found guilty, Ekiru could face a potential ten-year ban from competitive athletics, putting his illustrious running career at risk. The AIU stresses that Ekiru has the opportunity to defend himself before the Disciplinary Tribunal.