The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has flagged Kenya after its athletes were found positive for using the prohibited substance (triamcinolone acetonide).
AIU also announced the suspension of two other athletes, Diana Chemtai Kipyokei and Betty Wilson Lempus, taking the tally of banned Kenyan athletes to 10 in one year.
“The cases announced today are part of a recent trend in Kenyan athletics regarding triamcinolone acetonide, with 10 Kenyan athletes testing positive for that prohibited substance between 2021 and 2022.
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“Within the same time period in athletics globally, there have been just two positive triamcinolone acetonide AAFs for athletes from all other countries. In the four years from 2017 to 2020, there were only three Kenyan AAFs for triamcinolone acetonide,” part of the statement read.
The anti-doping body also cited that in addition to the Kipyokei, Lempus and Kangogo cases, the body is currently investigating four Kenyan athletes for triamcinolone acetonide.
Kipyekoi risks having her win at the 2021 Boston Marathon being disqualified if found guilty.
On October 13, 2022, AIU banned athlete Mark Kangogo for three years for the presence of triamcinolone acetonide in his sample.
The said substance triamcinolone acetonide falls under the WADA Prohibited List under the category S9: Glucocorticoids.
Glucocorticoids are commonly used as substances in sports but are prohibited in competition because there is clear evidence of systemic effects that could potentially improve performance and harm health when administered through prohibited routes.
For an athlete to use glucocorticoids during the in-competition period, they must show a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) or proof that administration is not via a prohibited route.
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