Kenyan long-distance runner Albert Korir, who notably secured victory at the 2021 New York City Marathon, has received a five-year ban from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). The sanction comes after Korir confessed to committing an anti-doping rule violation.
Korir’s provisional suspension began in January after three out-of-competition tests conducted in Kenya last October revealed the presence of a prohibited substance: Continuous Erythropoietin Receptor Activator (CERA). This discovery ultimately led to his admission and the subsequent disciplinary action.
Consequently, the 32-year-old athlete is now ineligible to compete in any sanctioned events until January 7, 2031. While he will retain his prestigious victory from the 2021 New York City Marathon, he is slated to be stripped of his third-place finish at the 2022 New York City Marathon.
The AIU stated that the initial proposed sanction was for four years. However, this period was extended to six years due to aggravating circumstances related to the violation. It was then reduced by one year as a result of Korir’s early admission of guilt and his acceptance of the imposed punishment.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern within Kenyan athletics. It follows a similar high-profile case eight months prior, when Ruth Chepng’etich, the women’s marathon world record holder, also faced a suspension for doping. According to reports from AFP, more than 140 Kenyan runners, predominantly long-distance specialists, have been sanctioned for doping offenses since a series of scandals emerged around the 2016 Rio Olympics. These events eventually led to the country being declared non-compliant by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).