Kenyan runner Kipkorir Konga banned over doping scandal

By Newsflash Repoter

Kenyan road runner Roncer Kipkorir Konga has been banned for three years after testing positive for testosterone, a prohibited substance under World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed on Wednesday that the suspension takes effect from June 16, 2025, the date Konga was provisionally suspended.

All of his competitive results since December 29, 2024, have been annulled, including titles, medals, points, prize money, and appearance fees.

Ban reduced after admission

In its ruling, the AIU said Konga admitted to the anti-doping violation, which reduced his sanction from the standard four years to three.

“The AIU confirms by this decision the following consequences for a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation: a period of ineligibility of three years commencing on 16 June 2025; and disqualification of the athlete’s results on and since 29 December 2024, with all resulting consequences,” the unit said.

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The case stems from an out-of-competition test conducted in Iten on December 29, 2024. Konga’s initial urine sample was reported negative by a WADA-accredited laboratory in Lausanne. However, a later analysis confirmed the presence of testosterone and its metabolites of exogenous origin.

The AIU noted that Konga had no Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance.

Athlete’s defense rejected

Konga denied knowingly using testosterone, telling investigators the positive test may have resulted from a herbal remedy prepared by his mother or a supplement he had consumed.

“I believe in my training and my talent. I only used those two before Christmas, and I didn’t use any injections,” he said.

However, after consulting the Athlete Passport Management Unit, the AIU dismissed the explanation, ruling that neither the herbal preparation nor the supplement was likely to have caused the result.

This is Konga’s first doping offence. He waived his right to a disciplinary tribunal hearing but retains the option, along with WADA and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

The AIU emphasized that the case demonstrates its zero-tolerance approach to doping and the need to protect the integrity of global athletics.