via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s Marathon – Sapporo Odori Park, Sapporo, Japan – August 7, 2021. Molly Seidel of the United States, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel and Roza Dereje of Ethiopia in action REUTERS/Feline Lim
via Reuters
Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Athletics – Women’s Marathon – Sapporo Odori Park, Sapporo, Japan – August 7, 2021. Molly Seidel of the United States, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Israel and Roza Dereje of Ethiopia in action REUTERS/Feline Lim
Preparations are in full swing for the Paris Olympics 2024 and track and field athletes are up and about to shine through. However, the campaign is already over for a Kenyan runner as she faces a huge ban after being provisionally suspended last month in January. However, this isn’t the first for her.
The 2017 Tokyo Marathon champion faced a ban in 2019 as well because of abnormalities in her blood passport. While that was for four years, this time it is double as substance ab*se continues to dwindle her prospects.
Tokyo Marathon winner has a pall of gloom ahead of her
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In the latest Twitter update, the Athletic Integrity Unit revealed that former Tokyo Marathon winner Sarah Chepchirchir has been banned for 8 years with effect from 22 December 2023. The Kenyan athlete tested positive for the presence of a prohibited substance, testosterone, and will now again remain on the sidelines, potentially putting an end to her career.
2017 Tokyo Marathon champion Sarah Chepchirchir gets an 8-year doping ban after testing positive for testosterone at the Bangsaen42 Chonburi Marathon last November in Thailand.
This is her second ban after she had already been suspended for four years in 2019 (backdated to April… https://t.co/jndnhMi7hx
— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) February 13, 2024
Last year in November, Sarah tested positive during the Bangsaen42 Chonburi Marathon in Thailand. She later received a provisional suspension in January, and now a confirmed 8-year ban not only puts an end to her Paris Olympics dreams, but her marathon career is also on the cusp of an unfortunate end. Sarah, 39, will be 47 by the time her ban ends, and it’s very unlikely she will have the fire left in her. However, anything is possible, and she could be back to winning just like she was before 2019.
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Sarah Chepchirchir’s incredible record before the 2019 ban
Sarah Chepchirchir rose to international fame in 2008 after securing top three finishes in the prestigious Saint-Pol, Le Lion, and Auray Vannes half marathons. A year later in 2009, she finally had her hands on the gold in Maroilles 20K and Auray-Vannes Half Marathons. Sarah further stamped her authority on the international scene after winning the Reims a Toutes Jambes with a personal timing of 71:54 minutes., which she would again break months later.
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An incredible season in 2010 awarded her a place at the 2010 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships, where she finished 11th. After a fifth-place finish in the 2011 All-Africa games, Sarah broke the course record at the 2013 Paris 20k run with a timing of 1:05:03 hours. Later, in 2017, the Tokyo Marathon would mark the biggest highlight of the 39-year-old’s career. But after that, things came to a standstill. What’s left in the offing for her is going to be something to watch out for.
Watch this story: Most Decorated Olympic Athlete Who Broke Usain Bolt’s Record Goes Down Memory Lane of Her Glorious Career
