Marius Kipserem: Another Kenyan athlete slapped with a ban

Ex-Rotterdam Marathon champion Marius Kipserem was on Thursday handed a 3-year doping ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (EPO), which is a breach of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.

The 34-year-old becomes the fifth Kenyan to be sanctioned in three weeks.

According to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), Kipserem's urine sample collected in an Out-Of-Competition test conducted on August 17 in Kapsabet gave a positive result for a banned substance - erythropoietin (EPO).

Kipserem who paced Eliud Kipchoge at the Ineos 1:59 Challenge has had his results disqualified from August 17, 2022.

''The AIU has banned Kenya's Marius Kipserem for 3 years from 22 September 2022 for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (EPO). DQ results from 17 August 2022,'' reads the statement.

The AIU has banned Kenya's Marius Kipserem for 3 years from 22 September 2022 for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (EPO). DQ results from 17 August 2022.

Details here: https://t.co/Ay1S5pVqpt pic.twitter.com/SOaELLH013 - Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) October 20, 2022

On October 11, Kipserem expressly confirmed in writing to the AIU that he admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violations and accepted the Consequences.

Kipserem's ban comes in under two weeks after another Kenyan athlete got the ban bringing to three, the number of Kenyan athletes who have been banned since last week due to doping-related charges.

The other three have been handed suspensions as investigations are concluded.

Since September, five Kenyans have been banned for doping offenses.

Kipserem got a recall of one year after admitting to the doping charge hence has a year slashed from his initial ban. Two days ago, Athletics Kenya held an anti-doping educational forum.

AK Youth Development Director, Barnaba Korir said during the second session of an anti-doping educational program in Eldoret, that he promised to always support athletes to ensure they succeed in their careers.

"We are here to support you to succeed in the future. The life of an athlete starts now and you are the future. And for you to succeed, you need to be disciplined and hardworking. While avoiding all the negative energy in your career," said Korir.