Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong tested positive for the blood booster EPO in a surprise out-of-competition doping test in Kenya, the IAAF said Friday, the biggest blow yet to the credibility of the East African country's famed distance-running program. Sumgong became the first Kenyan woman to win Olympic gold in the marathon at last year's Rio de Janeiro Games, is the reigning London Marathon champion, and was the points leader in the World Marathon Majors series. Sumgong's test was "part of an enhanced IAAF out-of-competition testing program dedicated to elite marathon runners," the IAAF said. Sumgong is also the second Kenyan woman to test positive for EPO while leading the world marathon series. Bitel said Sumgong's test was part of the world marathon series' efforts to target 150 top marathon runners in out-of-competition tests every year.

Source: ABC News April 07, 2017 09:38 UTC