An international anti-doping agency suspended a Kenyan marathon champion for seven years on Wednesday. The winner had previously won the Boston and Chicago marathons.
The Athletics Integrity Unit has banned Lawrence Cherono after he tested positive for the prohibited drug trimetazidine in a July 2022 out-of-competition sample.
“The 35-year-old Kenyan, a two time major marathon winner and 12th fastest marathon runner of all time, was found to have breached Anti-Doping Rule (ADR) 2.1, relating to the Presence of a Prohibited Substance,” the unit said in a statement.
“This decision is testament to the tireless and persistent efforts of the AIU in investigating doping and the explanations provided for positive tests,” said Brett Clothier, who heads the watchdog.
The unit took notice of the fact that Trimetazidine, which was present in Cherono samples, is a metabolic modulator and so cannot be used during competitions because of the possibility that it may enhance performance.
Beginning on July 16, 2022, the date of Cherono’s original provisional suspension, his seven-year ban will be in in effect.
This penalty is the latest in a string of doping infractions that have damaged Kenyan athletics with long suspensions.
(Source: AA)
