- Kibiwott Kandie has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for breaking anti-doping rules
- The Kenyan smashed the half marathon world record in 2020 and won a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games
- Kenyan athletes have been hit with bans and suspensions in recent years, threatening the future of the sport in the country
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The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has suspended Kenyan athlete Kibiwott Kandie for failing to submit to sample collection.
The 28-year-old broke the half marathon world record in 2020, taking almost half a minute off the previous mark.
Many Kenyan athletes have been banned or suspended for breaking anti-doping rules, which has tarnished the country’s image in recent years.
AIU suspends Kibiwott Kandie
Kandie was preparing to compete in the Zurich Barcelona Marathon this Sunday, but he will have to fly home to answer charges of doping.
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The AIU reported that Kandie was provisionally suspended for “evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection.”
He becomes the latest high-profile Kenyan athlete to be charged with doping offences.
Kandie’s world record has been broken and he sits third on the all-time list behind Jacob Kiplimo (56:42) and Yomif Kejelcha (57:30).
He was also part of the team that took gold in the men’s senior race at the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Bathurst in 2023. He won a bronze medal in the 10,000m at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, per World Athletics.
This year alone, Brimin Miso Kipkorir and Ronald Kimeli Kurgat have been provisionally suspended for breaking anti-doping rules.
Reacitons to Kibiwott Kandie suspension
“This one has really hit us, very sad he won’t race on Sunday at Barcelona Marathon 😕.”
I’m totally scared walai ..some of us Athletics is our everything sasa tukipigwa ban tutarudi kuchunga ngamia?
“It won’t take long before Kenyan athletes are barred from participating in world champs and Olympics.”
“Wueh, he had to know this was coming based on what he’s charged for, how do you evade/refuse/fail to submit a sample?”
“That’s a big one. Former half marathon world record holder. Kenya has a systemic doping problem and World Athletics should be seriously considering banning them for international competitions.”
“The usual doping Friday reports. Former half marathon world record holder. Is anyone surprised anymore?”
Since January last year, many Kenyan athletes have been banned and provisionally suspended for breaking anti-doping rules.
Brenda Jerotich Kiprono was banned for four years last month for trying to avoid a random doping test.
In 2024, marathon star Lawrence Cherono was hit with a seven-year ban for doping. Michael Saruni, Josephine Chepkoech, Rhonex Kipruto, and Faith Chepkoech are other athletes who received bans in 2024.
Why Kipchoge is running in Australia
TUKO.co.ke earlier reported that Eliud Kipchoge will compete in the Sydney Marathon which became a world marathon major last year.
Race organizers wanted Kicphoge because of his appeal and wanted him to mark the occasion.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
