The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned Kenyan long-distance runner Patrick Siele for three years and six months for evading an out of competition test that was to be conducted on him in Kapsabet on December 18 last year. The 24-year-old, who held a personal best of 2:10:42 in the marathon, will now join a long list of Kenyan athletes who have already been suspended or banned since the start of the year. Former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang, Alex Oloitiptip, Mercy Kibarus and Kenneth Kipkemoi have already been banned. Former 1,500 metres world champion Elijah Manangoi was provisionally suspended in July for missing three tests under the whereabouts rule. Other Kenyan athletes to be sanctioned in recent years, including 2008 Olympic 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, former Boston and Chicago Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo and 2016 Olympic marathon champion Jemimah Sumgong.

Source: Standard Digital September 25, 2020 11:37 UTC