AIU Issues Extended Ban To Kenyan Athlete Anyango

November 23, (THEWILL) – Kenyan distance runner Emmaculate Anyango received a six-year suspension for doping violations, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), confirmed on Friday. The 24-year-old athlete, who ranked second globally in the 10km discipline, tested positive for testosterone and EPO across multiple examinations between February and June 2024.

The AIU extended the standard four-year ban to six years, citing “aggravating circumstances”, in their ruling. These included Anyango’s use of multiple prohibited substances and repeated testosterone violations. The athlete’s response to the charges proved minimal, with communications indicating she had “nothing to say” and leaving the matter entirely to the AIU’s discretion.

Anyango’s athletic achievements in 2024, included a significant 10km performance in Valencia this January, where she finished behind Agnes Jebet Ngetich’s world record time of 28:46. She also won the women’s cross-country race at the Sirikwa Classic, a World Athletics Tour Gold competition, outperforming established competitors including former marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei.

The suspension arrives during a challenging period for Kenyan athletics, with 78 athletes facing sanctions over the past three years. The situation intensified in June 2024, when authorities cancelled Rhonex Kipruto’s 10km road race world record and implemented a six-year ban for doping infractions.

Kenya’s anti-doping programme, established following complications at the 2016 Rio Olympics, currently faces operational difficulties. The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya reported last month that substantial budget reductions have interrupted their testing procedures, raising concerns about the programme’s continued effectiveness.