Kenyan marathoner Kemei Elias Kiprono has received a provisional suspension from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) following the discovery of his use of the banned substance Trimetazidine. The AIU announced that Kiprono has been issued a Notice of Charge for contravening Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 of its anti-doping regulations.
“The AIU has provisionally suspended Kemei Elias Kiprono (Kenya) for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Trimetazidine),” the AIU stated.
Kiprono’s provisional suspension prohibits him from participating in any athletics competition until a final decision is made at a hearing conducted under either the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct. The 26-year-old, who last competed in the Lagos Marathon in February this year, achieved victory in the Pune Marathon in India in December last year, posting a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 5 seconds.
The AIU’s intensified efforts against banned substances have also resulted in the suspension of two other Kenyan athletes this year: former world youth champion Jackline Wambui and Josephine Chepkoech, both receiving lengthy bans.