Athletics Kenya (AK) has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on doping following the provisional suspension of reigning world marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir over an adverse analytical finding for erythropoietin (EPO).Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsIn a statement issued on Monday, 26 October, Athletics Kenya acknowledged the decision by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) to provisionally suspend the decorated marathoner, while reaffirming its commitment to promoting clean sport and ensuring a level playing field for all competitors.Big shame as world marathon champion joins growing list of suspended athletes“While it is unfortunate to receive such news regarding a high-profile athlete, Athletics Kenya remains firm in its stance on promoting clean sport and ensuring a level playing field for all competitors,” the federation stated.The federation clarified that the testing procedures and subsequent provisional suspension were conducted directly by the AIU, which serves as the designated testing authority, in accordance with established anti-doping regulations, international standards and case management protocols.##NAJAVA_MECA_10062783##Athletics Kenya also expressed support for anti-doping bodies, including the AIU and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), praising their efforts to maintain transparent testing mechanisms and protect the integrity of athletics worldwide.“AK extends its full support to the rigorous efforts of both global and local anti-doping bodies, specifically the AIU and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK).Abiy: Kenya and Ethiopia must turn athletics rivalry into economic partnershipWe applaud their commitment to maintaining structured, lawful, and transparent testing mechanisms that protect clean athletes and safeguard the integrity of athletics worldwide,” the statement continued.The federation further pledged to continue educating athletes and strengthening testing frameworks to ensure fairness and integrity remain central to Kenyan athletics.##NAJAVA_MECA_10062745##Jepchirchir was provisionally suspended by the AIU after an out-of-competition sample collected in Kenya before her victory at the Sydney Marathon returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO, a prohibited substance that can enhance endurance performance by increasing red blood cell production.The Kenyan marathon star recently won the Sydney Marathon in 2:18:31, leading a Kenyan one-two finish ahead of Irine Cheptai, who clocked 2:22:11, while Ethiopia’s Shure Demise finished third in 2:22:33.World Athletics explain major factor that won Kenya 2029 World Championships bidJepchirchir is among Kenya’s most accomplished distance runners, having won the Tokyo 2020 Olympic marathon gold medal, the 2025 World Athletics Championships marathon title and four World Marathon Majors: New York in 2021, Boston in 2022, London in 2024 and Sydney in 2026.An adverse analytical finding is not, by itself, a final determination of an anti-doping rule violation. The provisional suspension remains subject to the applicable anti-doping process, which will determine the outcome of the case.