Peres Jepchirchir provisionally suspended after EPO finding

Peres Jepchirchir has been provisionally suspended after an out-of-competition sample collected in Kenya before her Sydney Marathon victory returned an adverse analytical finding for erythropoietin, or EPO, the Athletics Integrity Unit said Friday. The finding is not a final determination that she committed an anti-doping violation, and the case remains unresolved. The AIU said the sample was collected before Jepchirchir won the Sydney Marathon on August 30, 2026. She finished in 2:18:31, more than three minutes ahead of the next finisher. The sample was collected in Kenya, according to the AIU’s announcement, which is the basis for reports of the adverse finding. A provisional suspension bars Jepchirchir from competing while the case proceeds. She can respond to the allegation and challenge the finding through the disciplinary process; the suspension itself does not establish guilt. No final decision has been reported. EPO is a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production. Synthetic EPO is prohibited in sport because increasing red blood cells can improve the body’s oxygen-carrying capacity and endurance. The AIU has not released further details about the sample or...