By Tony Kipkorir
Emmaculate Anyango Achol, one of Kenya’s fast-rising runners, has been handed a provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a doping-related offense.
The news, which shocked the Kenyan athletics fraternity, was announced by the global body on Friday morning, October 4.
According to the communique from AIU, the Iten-based road race runner is alleged to have used two performance-enhancing substances.
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over 384 Million SportPesa Mega Jackpot
“The AIU has provisionally suspended Emmaculate Anyango Achol (Kenya) for the presence/use of a prohibited substance (Testosterone and EPO),” read part of the statement.
Anyango will be given a chance to prove her innocence before a final decision is made regarding the issue.
Should the 24-year-old be found guilty of using the prohibited substances, she is expected to be slapped with a ban of four years or more.
Anyango has represented Kenya in various international competitions including the 2024 World Cross Country Championships where she finished fourth behind her compatriots Beatrice Chebet, Lilian Kasait and Margaret Chelimo.
Emmaculate Anyango Achol
The athlete, who hails from Kericho, has also previously donned the Kenyan colors in the 2019 World U20 Championships where she secured a silver medal in the 3000m discipline.
At an individual level, Anyango dazzled at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country earlier this year, crossing the finishing line in 32:55 to bag the coveted laurel.
She also ran one of the fastest 10km race in Valencia, Spain where she clocked the second fastest time in history, clocking 28:57 to become the second woman ever to run a 10km event in less than 29 minutes.
Her compatriot Agnes Jebet Ngetich became the first to do so in the same race as she broke women’s 10km world record after clocking 28:47.
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke