Brimin Misoi Kipkorir, the reigning champion of the Sydney Marathon, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substances during an out-of-competition test. Two months following his impressive victory at the 2024 Sydney Marathon, where he clocked a record time of 2:06:18, Kipkorir’s sample revealed the presence of EPO and Fuosemide.
The Athletics Integrity Unit made these findings public on Tuesday, marking a significant blow to Kipkorir’s reputation and athletic career. Notably, the TCS Sydney Marathon confirmed that he had no adverse results in his pre-competition and race-day tests at the event. However, if proven guilty, he faces the possibility of a lifetime ban from the Sydney Marathon.
The TCS Sydney Marathon expressed its disappointment regarding Kipkorir’s positive test, asserting their commitment to combating doping within the sport. Their statement emphasised a zero-tolerance policy towards doping practices, with efforts aimed at ensuring a fair and clean environment for marathon runners.
Kipkorir is not alone in this troubling situation as three other Kenyan athletes are also facing doping investigations and provisional bans this month. Among them, Diana Kipyoeki is currently serving a six-year ban, having been stripped of her 2021 Boston Marathon title due to a positive doping result. The ongoing scrutiny of Kenyan athletes highlights a broader issue concerning doping practices within the nation’s running community.