Tokyo Marathon Course Record Holder Sarah Chepchirchir Provisionally Suspended for Doping Offenses

A training partner of disgraced Rio Olympics gold medalist Jemima Sumgong, Tokyo Marathon course record holder and Japan all-comers' record holder Sarah Chepchirchir of Kenya has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit for use of prohibited substances or methods. Chepchirchir's suspension follows the announcement last month of an eight-year suspension for Sumgong for doping-related offenses and an attempted coverup.

Both Chepchirchir and Sumgong are represented by agent Federico Rosa, whose other Kenyan clients include two-time Commonwealth Games medalist Lucy Kabuu, suspended last month for two years for doping, former Boston Marathon course record holder Rita Jeptoo, who lost her title and record with a four-year doping suspension, and former Olympic 1500 m gold medalist Asbel Kiprop, found to have tested positive for EPO. Rosa is scheduled to have athletes including 2018 Abu Dhabi Marathon winners Marius Kipserem (Kenya) and Ababel Yeshaneh (Ethiopia), 2018 Dubai Marathon 3rd-placer Yebrgual Melese (Ethiopia) and 2018 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon winner Bedan Karoki (Kenya) compete at the 2019 Tokyo Marathon.

Should Chepchirchir lose her Tokyo title, Ethiopian Birhane Dibaba will become both the Tokyo Marathon course record holder and Japan all-comers' record holder thanks to her 2:19:51 win in Tokyo last year.

© 2019 Brett Larner, all rights reserved

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