Kenyan athlete Jemima Sumgong suspended for doping

Kenyan athlete Jemima Sumgong, marathon champion at the past 2016 Rio Olympic Games, has been suspended for four years after testing positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition anti-doping control on February 28th. The test was conducted by the Kenyan Anti-Doping Agency.

The substance found in the African runner's body is known as EPO, which, although prohibited in athletes, increases the production of red blood cells in the body, allowing the muscles to receive more oxygen with the same amount of blood.

A laboratory in Switzerland, accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), was responsible for conducting the "A" test, which revealed the presence of EPO in Sumgong's urine.

The athlete argued in her defense that the medication was administered to her due to an ectopic pregnancy just before the test, which is why she refused to undergo the "B" test.

It should be noted that when an athlete tests positive for banned drugs or substances in an anti-doping control, the initial test is called the "A" test, and the athlete involved has the right to undergo or not the "B" test.

Sumgong is the first Kenyan woman in Olympic history to win a gold medal in the marathon. She is 32 years old and will not be able to participate in the 2019 Athletics World Championships or defend her title at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.