Kenyan marathoner Brimin Kipkorir has been banned from competing for four years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for forbidden substances. The AIU announced the decision in a statement on Tuesday, April 1, stating that it upheld the 35-year-old’s original sentence after confirming the presence of erythropoietin (EPO) and furosemide in his system.
Kipkorir’s troubles began on November 22, 2024, when he provided a urine sample for a routine test while in Kenya. Three weeks later, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratory in Lausanne, Switzerland, found that the sample contained furosemide, a substance banned in athletics.
Furosemide is a diuretic that helps remove excess fluid and salt from the body, primarily used for treating kidney issues. However, athletes have been known to misuse it to lose weight rapidly or as a masking agent to flush out other prohibited substances from their system.
After discovering furosemide in his sample, the AIU notified Kipkorir and gave him until January 6 to respond. However, he did not reply to the charges.
The situation worsened in February 2025 when a further analysis of the same sample revealed the presence of erythropoietin. This substance is commonly used to treat kidney disease but is also abused in sports because it increases oxygen delivery to red blood cells, boosting endurance and performance.
Initially, Kipkorir was given a two-year suspension, but the AIU cited ‘aggravating circumstances’ in his case. This led to a recommendation for a six-year ban.
However, since this was his first violation and he accepted the decision, the AIU settled on a four-year suspension. The ruling stated that the athlete could only reduce his penalty if he proved that the violations were unintentional, which he failed to do.
The ban is a blow to Kipkorir’s career, as he was considered a rising star in marathon running. In 2024, he won the Sydney Marathon with an impressive time of 02:06:17, defeating Ethiopia’s Chalu Deso Gelmisa and fellow Kenyan Felix Kiptoo.
With this suspension in place, Kipkorir will be ineligible to compete until February 2029, effectively sidelining him from major competitions at the peak of his career.Doping scandals have increasingly tarnished Kenya’s reputation in distance running, with multiple athletes facing suspensions in recent years.
The AIU continues to enforce stringent anti-doping measures, emphasizing that clean competition is essential for the integrity of the sport. Kipkorir’s case serves as another warning to athletes about the severe consequences of using performance-enhancing drugs.
