Peres Jepchirchir Suspended After Alleged Positive EPO Test

Kenyan marathon star Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for the banned substance erythropoietin (EPO), according to an announcement by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Friday, October 23, 2026.

The 33-year-old Olympic gold medallist and world marathon champion reportedly tested positive in a sample collected in Kenya before her victory at the 2026 Sydney Marathon.

EPO is a prohibited substance that stimulates red blood cell production, increasing the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen. It is banned in athletics because its use can provide an unfair advantage in endurance events.

Jepchirchir’s provisional suspension means she faces restrictions from competition while the case is handled under the sport’s anti-doping rules. However, the suspension is not a final finding that she committed an anti-doping rule violation.

The development is a major moment for the Kenyan athletics community, given Jepchirchir’s achievements on the international stage. She won the women’s marathon at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, held in 2021, and has also claimed major honours in road racing.

Her reported positive test comes after her triumph at the Sydney Marathon, where she continued to demonstrate her standing among the world’s leading marathon runners.

The AIU is responsible for protecting the integrity of athletics by investigating potential doping violations and enforcing anti-doping regulations. Its process allows athletes to respond to allegations and exercise their rights under the applicable rules.

Further details about Jepchirchir’s case, including any response from the athlete or her representatives, will be important as the investigation progresses.

For now, the Kenyan star remains provisionally suspended while the anti-doping process continues. The case has placed renewed attention on drug testing and the standards expected of elite athletes competing at the highest level.

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