Korir banned for five years over doping admission

Kenyan long-distance runner Albert Korir has faced a five-year suspension following his admission to using performance-enhancing substances. The ban, imposed by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), will end on 7 January 2031, with Korir receiving a one-year reduction due to his acknowledgment of the violations.

Korir’s recent doping violations were confirmed through three out-of-competition tests conducted in October 2025. These tests detected CERA, a powerful blood-boosting agent and a modern form of EPO. All of his results from that point onward, including his third-place finish in the New York Marathon last November, are now void.

The AIU noted that the positive tests “constitute clear evidence of the athlete’s repeated use of a prohibited substance.”

Before his doping admission, Korir had a notable career in the New York Marathon. He claimed the title in 2021, finishing with a time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 22 seconds. His performance in 2019 and 2023 saw him secure second-place finishes, and he returned to the podium in 2024 with a third-place result.

Meanwhile, another Kenyan athlete, Ruth Chepngetich, was also suspended earlier this year. The world record holder in the women’s marathon admitted to anti-doping rule violations, leading to a three-year ban announced in October 2024.