Kenyan long-distance runner Geoffrey Yegon has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a banned steroid commonly misused for weight loss while maintaining muscle strength.
The 36-year-old marathoner, though not a major household name in Kenyan athletics, has had a long career in road racing. His most recent achievement was winning the 2023 Singapore Marathon on December 1, clocking 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 6 seconds his first major victory in seven years.
Before this, his last notable triumph was at the 2017 Göteborg Half Marathon in Sweden, where he finished in 1 hour and 19 seconds.
A Provisional Suspension is when an Athlete or other Person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in Athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.
Despite making a recent comeback, Yegon now faces uncertainty, as he must respond to the doping charge before his case proceeds to a disciplinary hearing. If found guilty, he could receive a lengthy ban from competitive athletics.
This latest case further deepens Kenya’s ongoing doping crisis, with an increasing number of athletes being caught using banned substances.
Kenya, renowned for producing world-class marathoners, remains under scrutiny by AIU and World Athletics, both of which have intensified anti-doping regulations.
Several other Kenyan runners have been suspended for doping violations, highlighting the widespread issue within the sport:
Barsioso Agness Jeruto – Suspended on May 9, 2022, for 5 years
Tabitha Njeri – Suspended on April 29, 2023, for 3 months
Kibet Michael – Suspended on September 20, 2022, for 4 years
Jarinter Mawia – Suspended on November 26, 2022, for 4 years
Emmaculate Anyango Achol – Suspended on November 22, 2024, for 6 years
Beatrice Jelagat Cherop – Suspended on December 2, 2024, for 2 years.
