Kenya’s James Mwangi Wangari, the 2022 Porto Marathon winner, has been banned for eight years for doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Friday.
The 29-year-old marathon runner was caught at a race in Porto on November 6, 2022, with a test that revealed norandrosterone. You are disqualified from taking the test and all your results after this date will be invalidated.
In Porto he finished first in 2:08.47 hours, the best of his career.
The penalty will begin to count backdated to December 21, 2022, so the suspension will not end until the end of 2030.
The AIU says the athlete wrote him a letter claiming there was no intentional doping and that he requested a new test, which was not possible, meaning he is accused of violating anti-doping laws.
In February last year, the athlete requested a hearing and the case was referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). After a series of meetings with the AIU, it was confirmed that the athlete committed a violation of the rules.
The AIU also announced the suspension of two more Kenyans: Joyce Chepkemoi Tele for 18 months and Rebecca Jepchirchir Korir for 24 months.