Kenyan Runner Kalalei Banned Four Years for Doping

Samuel Kalalei, Kenyan marathon runner has been banned for four years on Wednesday after testing positive for banned blood booster EPO, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced as the African powerhouse suffered another body blow.

Kalalei, 23, tested positive at April’s Rotterdam marathon where he finished seventh in a time of 2h 10min 44sec, a personal best.

The 2017 Athens marathon winner had already been provisionally suspended in June.

A number of Kenyan athletes have been banned for doping in recent years, including the 2016 Rio Olympic women’s marathon gold medallist Jemima Sumgong.

In September, Kenya was described as having a “serious problem” with doping by WADA the world anti-doping agency.