High-profile Kenyan athlete busted for doping

Weeks after Kenyan distance star Jemima Sumgong was caught using EPO, Reuters is reporting that another high-profile Kenyan athlete has been caught for using banned substances. 

The media outlet is not yet naming the athlete as legal issues are keeping media from making the athlete’s identity public. What is known is that the IAAF administered a drug test, found the positive test and notified Athletics Kenya. 

RELATED: Olympian Jemima Sumgong caught for EPO

As reported by Reuters, Jackson Tuwei of Athletics Kenya has said that the organization is aware of the athlete’s positive test however they won’t be able to give further detail until all legal procedures have been taken care of. 

This comes during a time when distance running and track is in the midst of a doping crisis. When allegations surrounding a systemic doping scandal in Russia were proven to be true in late 2015, the credibility of the sport took a major hit. Russia may be in the dog house but those who keep a close eye on the international world of distance running have been claiming that Kenya is the next country to become exposed. 

Earlier this month, Jemima Sumgong’s reputation became tarnished when she produced a positive drug sample. 

Sumgong is a household name in distance running and won the gold medal at the Rio Olympics breaking the tape in 2:22:59. Despite Kenya’s reputation as country that produces the world’s most dominant distance runners, Sumgong was the first Kenyan to go gold at an Olympic event. She also won last year’s London Marathon. The 32-year-old was caught using EPO after she was tested out of competition.

Sources have told Canadian Running that the athlete was tested back-to-back and was caught with drugs in her system the day after the first drug test. 

Doping has been a criminal offence in Kenya since June of last year.