In a massive blow to distance running, reigning world marathon champion and former Olympic gold medalist Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for the banned blood-boosting hormone erythropoietin (EPO).
The AIU confirmed the adverse finding came from an out-of-competition sample collected from Jepchirchir in Kenya shortly before her recent victory at the Sydney Marathon. The 33-year-old Kenyan had clocked 2:18:31 in Sydney to claim her fourth World Marathon Major title with a dominant performance.
EPO is classified as a prohibited substance under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations. While naturally produced by the kidneys to stimulate red blood cell production, synthetic EPO is misused in endurance sports to artificially enhance oxygen transport, boost aerobic capacity and delay exhaustion.
The provisional suspension bars Jepchirchir from competing in any sanctioned track and road events pending a full disciplinary hearing. If the charges are upheld, she faces a multi-year ban and possible disqualification of her recent results, including the Sydney Marathon win.
The case marks a dramatic fall for one of the most decorated road racers in recent history. Jepchirchir won Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 marathon, the 2025 World Championship title in Tokyo, and major marathons in London (2024), Boston (2022) and New York (2021). She is also a three-time World Half Marathon champion and former women-only world record holder over 21.1km.
The AIU said Jepchirchir will have the opportunity to present her defence and request analysis of her B-sample before a final tribunal ruling. The announcement comes just a day after similar sanctions were levied against other international distance runners.
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