Three Kenyan athletes have been banned for eight years for violating anti-doping rules.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned marathon runners Alice Jipkamboi Kimotai and Johnstone Kibut Maio for three years and sprinter Mark Otieno for two years.
Otieno, 29, tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid methasterone moments before the 100m heats at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
This meant he was not allowed to compete.
Three-time national 100m champion Otieno’s ban from the Games will expire in July 2023.
The suspension of November’s Puerto Marathon winner Camutai – who tested positive for the male hormone testosterone – began on November 16.
Mayo’s ban began on July 20 after returning a positive test for erythropoietin (EPO).
Last month the East African nation avoided a ban from world athletics’ governing body – despite 55 athletes suffering suspensions – after pledging to spend $25 million over the next five years to combat doping.
Kenya’s Sports Minister Ababu Nmuamba then announced plans to criminalize doping in athletics in an effort to end the spate of cases in the sport.
