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Kenyan marathon runner Lawrence Cherono has been given a seven-year ban for breaching anti-doping rules.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 35-year-old was given four years for testing positive for a banned substance, plus four more for tampering or attempting to mislead the investigation, although that was reduced by one year for early admission and acceptance of the sanction.<\/p>\n
Cherono was provisionally suspended in July 2022 after testing positive for heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ).<\/p>\n
The ban is backdated to his initial suspension, meaning Cherono will not be able to compete until 2029.<\/p>\n
The former Boston and Chicago marathon winner initially blamed the positive test on an injection given to him by a doctor to treat stomach pain.<\/p>\n
Cherono then changed his story, blaming a mix-up with his wife’s medication.<\/p>\n
Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Brett Clothier said the ban “sends a strong signal” to anyone considering breaking the rules.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision is testament to the tireless and persistent efforts of the AIU in investigating doping and the explanations provided for positive tests,” he added.<\/p>\n
“The AIU will leave no stone unturned in carrying out its mandate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva was given a four-year ban<\/a> earlier this year for testing positive for TMZ shortly before the 2022 Winter Olympics.<\/p>\n In 2021, 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for the drug were cleared to compete<\/a> at the Tokyo Games because China Anti-Doping Agency determined they had unintentionally ingested the substance through contamination.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n