Kenyan marathon runner, Lawrence Cherono, received provisional suspension from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
The marathon runner was set to represent Kenya in the World Athletics Championships marathon race in Oregon on Sunday, July 17.
According to a statement by AIU released on Saturday, July 16, Cherono together with Randolph Ross from the USA were banned from participating in the race pending investigations.
“The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has today provisionally suspended marathon runner, Lawrence Cherono of Kenya and 400m runner, Randolph Ross of the USA, meaning both athletes are out of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22,” read the statement in part.
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The said prohibited substance found in Cherono’s sample is known as trimetazidine, a substance that is prohibited under the 2022 WADA list of metabolic modulators.
“Substances in this category modify how the body metabolizes fat. Trimetazidine is approved for use in some countries to treat chest pain stemming from a lack of blood supply and oxygen to the heart. Trimetazidine is a non-specified substance, and a provisional suspension is mandatory following an adverse analytical finding for such a substance under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules unless certain conditions apply,” part of the statement read.
AIU revealed that the athlete's sample was collected during an out-of-competition test on May 23 this year.
The athletics body noted that Cherono was informed of the adverse analytical findings upon arrival in Oregon on July 14.
AIU explained that the delay in making the report public was occasioned by laboratory tests which took longer than expected.
"The AIU notes that under the WADA International Standard for Laboratories, reporting of sample results should occur within twenty (20) days of receipt of the sample. In this case, the delay to the time of reporting was 47 days
. The AIU has made a formal complaint to the laboratory in relation to this unacceptable delay, which has denied the opportunity for another Kenyan athlete to take the place of Mr Cherono in the marathon,” the statement read.
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