Elite Marathoner Titus Ekiru facing a pptential ten-year ban for four anti-doping charges

MONACO: An extensive investigation by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), with important assistance from Kenyan authorities, has led to four charges for Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) against Titus Ekiru – two separate charges relating to the detection of Prohibited Substances in his samples and two separate Tampering charges regarding the results-management process in each case.

The 31-year-old’s charges stem from AIU investigations into Ekiru’s positive incompetition doping tests after marathon victories in the Generali Milano Marathon on 16 May 2021 and the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon on 26 November 2021.

Ekiru tested positive for Triamcinolone Acetonide after winning in Milan but was not immediately charged after the initial investigation appeared to validate his explanation that the result was due to legitimate medical treatment. The athlete tested positive for Pethidine after winning in Abu Dhabi, and again claimed the outcome resulted from legitimate medical treatment.

The AIU was notified of the positive test for Pethidine on 1 February 2022. Following initial investigations into that matter – and given the emergence of a pattern of Triamcinolone Acetonide use among Kenyan athletes – the AIU reopened the investigation into Ekiru’s first case. The athlete was provisionally suspended in June 2022, pending the outcome of both wide-ranging investigations which included crucial collaboration with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) and other Kenyan authorities. This led to the AIU rejecting Ekiru’s explanations, charging him with the Pethidine ADRV in March 2023 and with the Triamcinolone Acetonide ADRV in April 2023.

Additionally, the AIU now asserts Ekiru has cases to answer for tampering with the results-management processes by submitting falsified medical explanations and documentation to the AIU for both positive tests. This means the elite marathoner – who has the right to defend himself before the Disciplinary Tribunal – is facing a potential ten-year ban. The AIU will make no further comment on this matter until its conclusion.

NOTES:

Triamcinolone Acetonide is a Prohibited Substance under the WADA Prohibited List under the category S9: Glucocorticoids. It is a substance prohibited in-competition (but prior to 2022, it was not prohibited when administered by local injection). Glucocorticoids are commonly used as therapeutic substances in sports, but are prohibited in-competition because, when administered via prohibited routes, there is clear evidence of systemic effects which could potentially enhance performance and be harmful to health. The use of glucocorticoids by an athlete during the in-competition period requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) or (for cases arising prior to 2022) proof that administration is not via a prohibited route. If an athlete returns an AAF to a glucocorticoid and cannot produce a TUE, or prove a non-prohibited route of administration, they will have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

Pethidine is a Prohibited Substance under the WADA Prohibited List under the category S7: Narcotics. The substances of this class are used in clinical practice to manage severe pain; however, their abuse is associated with risks of physical dependence and addiction, and they are classified as controlled substances in most countries and prohibited in-competition in sport.

About the Road Running Integrity Programme: The Athletics Integrity Unit runs an extensive anti-doping programme covering more than 300 professional road runners; at least 150 men and 150 women. The programme’s activities of testing, intelligence, investigation, prosecution and education are funded entirely through contributions from World Athletics, Abbott World Marathon Majors, World Athletics Label Road Races, Athletes and their Athlete Representatives, and running shoe companies: adidas, ASICS and Nike.

About Kenya’s Anti-Doping Programme: In late 2022, the Kenyan Government pledged an additional US$25 million ($5 million annually for five years) to bolster anti-doping activities in Kenyan athletics. A Steering Committee – comprising representatives from the AIU, ADAK, Athletics Kenya (AK) and the Government of Kenya – was established in January 2023 to oversee the project plan and the use of the funds. The AIU will offer expertise across essential functions (testing, investigation, intelligence and education) to assist in capacity building and help enhance the fight against doping in Kenya.

Details here: https://bit.ly/Provisional-suspensions-in-force

Monday, 03 July 2023