Kenyan athlete Emmanuel Kipchumba Kemboi has been slapped with a two-year ban for doping. In a statement on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed the sanctions against the Kenyan athlete after laboratory tests established the presence of Triamcinolone acetonide. 

Triamcinolone acetonide is a prohibited substance under the WADA 2024 prohibited list under the category S9. While rendering the verdict, AIU explained that Kemboi accepted the findings, and, being a first-time offender, his debarment was reduced from four to two years.

Nonetheless, Emmanuel Kipchumba Kemboi will be required to surrender medals, participation money, and any award earned since October 6, 2024.

“On the basis that the Athlete has admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violations under Rule 2.1 ADR and Rule 2.2 ADR, in accordance with Rule 10.2.1 ADR, the AIU confirms by this decision the following consequences for a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation: a period of ineligibility of two (2) years commencing on April 7, 2025; and disqualification of the Athlete’s results on and since October 6, 2024, with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes and appearance money,” the verdict read in part.

Investigations

According to AIU, Emmanuel Kipchumba Kemboi was ordered to present samples on October 6, 2024, at the EDP Lisbon Marathon held in Lisbon, Portugal.

On December 17, 2024, the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”) accredited laboratory in Lisbon, Portugal, reported an adverse analytical finding in the sample based on the presence of Triamcinolone acetonide, AIU explained.

“It was not apparent that the adverse analytical finding was caused by an ingestion of the relevant prohibited substance through a permitted route,” AIU stated.

“Therefore, on March 28, 2025, the AIU notified the athlete of the adverse analytical finding in accordance with Article 5.1.2.1 of the ISRM, including that the adverse analytical finding may result in anti-doping rule violations pursuant to Rule 2.1 ADR and/or Rule 2.2 ADR. The athlete was also informed of his rights, inter alia, to request the B sample analysis, to request copies of the laboratory documentation supporting the adverse analytical finding, and to admit the anti-doping rule violations,” it added.  

However, on April 2, 2025, the athlete wrote to the AIU admitting the Use of Triamcinolone acetonide. Following his admission, he has been barred from taking part in any races for the next two years. By Lutta Njomo, People Daily