Diana Kipyokei, the 2021 Boston Marathon winner, was disqualified after a positive drug test.
The Athletics Integrity Unit, the drug testing body of the international athletics federation, said on Friday that a banned substance had been found in a sample taken on the day of the race in Kipyokei last October. The substance was a metabolite of triamcinolone acetonide, a steroid that can enhance performance. The organization also accused it of “obstructing or delaying the AIU’s investigations by providing false information or documentation.”
The Boston Athletic Association, which organizes the race, said Friday that Kipyokei would be disqualified pending an appeal based on the finding. Kipyokei and her representatives could not be immediately reached for comment.
“The cases announced today are part of a recent trend in Kenyan athletics regarding triamcinolone acetonide, with 10 Kenyan athletes testing positive for this banned substance between 2021 and 2022,” the Integrity Department said. It said in a statement it would not comment further until appeals were exhausted and the case closed.
The Boston Marathon took place in October last year instead of the usual April date because of the coronavirus pandemic and was the first run of the 125-year Boston tradition since the 2019 race.
Kipyokei’s race win came as a surprise in a field of much more experienced runners. It was her big marathon debut at the age of 27; Her biggest win so far was the Istanbul marathon.
She charged ahead at the 18-mile mark, then was joined by the better-known Netsanet Gudeta of Ethiopia, a former world cross-country champion. At 24 miles, after the two ran side by side, Kipyokei took the lead again.
She finished her win in 2 hours 24 minutes 45 seconds and afterwards said she was surprised to have won. Kipyokei did not return to the 2022 race and has not had a meaningful result since that 2021 win.
Edna Kiplagat of Kenya, a two-time world champion, finished second behind Kipyokei in 2021 and would become the new winner should Kipyokei’s suspension be completed. Kiplagat was 41 at the time, becoming the oldest winner of the race, NBC reported.
In addition to losing her title in Boston, Kipyokei likely faces a multi-year ban from the sport if her appeals fail.