Half marathoner Judy Jelagat Kemboi has become the latest Kenyan athlete to be sanctioned for a doping violation.
On Thursday, Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the Monaco-based body founded by World Athletics in April 2017 to combat doping and address other forms of ethical misconduct in athletics, suspended the Kenyan distance runner for a doping violation.
Jelagat, who won Guadalajara Half Marathon in Mexico in February, has been provisionally suspended for the presence and use of prohibited substance called Hydrochlorothiazide.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill), and is used to help reduce the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by the doctor.
Jelagat, 26, whose athletics records at the elite level only started being posted two years ago on the World Athletics website, has been registering top results in gold label half marathon races.
She finished second in the prestigious Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (RAK) in February, and third in Istanbul Half Marathon in April.
Sanctioned for doping violations
Jelagat joins a long list of 25 Kenyan athletes who have been sanctioned either by AIU, or the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (Adak) this year for doping violations.
Her suspension comes two weeks after that of the 2024 national 10,000 metres champion Roncer Kipkorir Konga, and Milan Half Marathon champion Morine Michira were flagged down for doping violations.
AIU suspended Kipkorir, who is also the Africa 10,000m bronze medallist, and Kenya Defence Forces 10,000m and 5,000m silver medalist, for the use of Testosterone.
Michira, who is the 2024 Padova Half Marathon champion, is banned for two years for using prohibited Higenamine and Octodrine.
Women’s marathon world record holder, Ruth Chepng’etich, was suspended for the presence of masking agent Hydrochlorothiazide on July 17.
Other Kenyan athletes sanctioned this year for doping are two-time national cross country champion Sheila Chelangat, world half marathon silver medallist Kibiwott Kandie, 2024 Nairobi Standard Chartered Marathon champion Ronald Kimeli Kurgat, and 2022/2023 Frankfurt Marathon champion Brimin Kipkorir.
Also Adak sanctioned 2018 world and Africa under-20 5,000m champion Edward Zakayo and 2023 world cross country team gold medallist Edinah Jebitok for committing various doping violations in February.
Zakayo and Jebitok were each handed two-year bans, and will be eligible to start competing in August and October 2026 respectively.
