Chepkosgei and Chepsoi sanctioned by the Sports Disputes Tribunal

Kenyan’s Sports Disputes Tribunal has upheld the sanctioning of runners Shieys Chepkosgei and Florence Chepsoi by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) for using banned performance-enhancing substances.

Chepkosgei was found guilty of using banned drugs during the 2016 edition of the Sukan Negara half marathon in Kuala Lumpur.

Her urine sample ‘A’ was subsequently analysed at a WADA-accredited laboratory in New Delhi, India, and adverse analytical findings disclosed the presence of prohibited androsterone and etiocholanone, which are non-specific substances under class one anabolic agents.

While delivering the ruling last week, the tribunal said: “The athlete did not only admit committing the ant-doping rules violation but also clearly stated during the hearing that it was indeed intentional and therefore the full period of ineligibility of four years comes to bear in this case, and commences from the date of provisional suspension, which was December 26, 2016.”

The tribunal also found Chepsoi guilty of using the prednisone and prednisolone in November 2015, and she was suspended for two years.

Chepsoi, in her defence, admitted taking diclophenac, which has prohibited prednisone and prednisolone, banned substances under the WADA list, before competing in a road race in China. Being a first-time offender, she wanted the suspension lifted and prize money of Sh.1.5 million released to her. [Dennis Okeyo]