The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned two Kenyan athletes from taking part in any athletics event.
In a statement on Friday, April 1, the AIU announced the banning of Kenyan long-distance runner Morris Gachaga for 2 years for whereabouts failures disqualifying his results from December 13, 2021.
His compatriot Edward Kibet Kiprop has also been handed a 3-year ban for the presence/use of a prohibited substance (Nandrolone) disqualifying results since 23 January 2022.
Also Read: Kipchoge Keino Crowned Superbrands Personality of The Year
Gachaga has been banned on the basis of whereabouts which is not a common occurrence .
However, according to AIU, a Whereabouts Failure will be recorded against an athlete in World Athletics in various instances such as when the athlete has failed to submit his or her whereabouts by the required deadline.
Similarly if an athlete fails to update his or her whereabouts or has not updated them as soon as possible after a possible change of circumstances they are penalised under Whereabouts failure.
Another instance is when an athlete has filed his or her whereabouts on time but they are incomplete, inaccurate or deemed as insufficient to enable them be located for testing.
If the AIU finds out that an athlete’s whereabouts are inaccurate or incomplete after an unsuccessful attempt to test them the athlete is penalised under Whereabouts failure.
Further, this penalty will be invoked when an athlete files whereabouts information but they are not available for testing at the location corresponding to their 60-minute time slot.
The World Athletics Anti Doping Rules state that any combination of three whereabouts failures within a period of 12 months constitutes an anti-doping rule violation which results in a 2 year ban.
World Athletics established the Athletics Integrity Unit whose role is to protect
the integrity of the sport of Athletics, including fulfilling World Athletics' obligations as a
Signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code (‘the "Code").