Three-Time Boston Marathon Champion Rita Jeptoo Receives Two-Year Ban
BOSTON (CBS) – Three-time Boston Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo has been banned for two years for doping.
The Associated Press reported on Friday that Athletics Kenya banned Jeptoo after traces of the banned blood-booster EPO were detected in a test on Sept. 25.
What Jeptoo's ban means for her previous Boston Marathon results is not yet clear.
The Boston Athletic Association released a statement on Friday afternoon regarding Athletics Kenya's decision.
After a hearing held on January 15, 2015 by Athletics Kenya in Nairobi and learning today of the decision to issue a two year ban against Rita Jeptoo following a failed drug test conducted in September 2014, the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) will now evaluate the effect of the results of that hearing and penalty on Ms. Jeptoo's results at the Boston Marathon. The B.A.A. is the event organizer for the Boston Marathon.
No athlete who is found to have tested positive may run in an Abbott World Marathon Majors race. The marathons which comprise the Abbott World Marathon Majors are Boston, Tokyo, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York City.
Through an independent adjudication, the B.A.A. will take into account the findings of any hearings which were held, the penalty issued today, and any appeal which might be held through the processes of the IAAF, WADA, and the Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS) when considering its decision. The B.A.A. will act promptly when the current process is completed, based on the actions and timing of decisions from Athletics Kenya, the IAAF, WADA and CAS.
"Drugs and doping in our sport will not be tolerated, and we will work with our partners in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, as well as the IAAF and WADA, to assure the continued implementation and rigorous observance and oversight of the strictest of standards in order to keep our sport clean," said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director. "We already have severe and defined penalties, but the Rita Jeptoo case has brought to light the need to work yet further in that regard to ensure our sport. We are deeply disappointed in the findings involving Rita Jeptoo, and we are committed to upholding the integrity and credibility of the Boston Marathon."
In 2014 Jeptoo set a course record at the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:18:57.
The victory was the Kenyan's second straight at the Boston Marathon.
As a reward for her 2014 finish, Jeptoo received $150,000 for winning and another $25,000 for setting the course record.
