The Athletics Integrity Unit banned Kenyan runner Emmanuel Kipchumba Kemboi for two years after he tested positive for Triamcinolone acetonide
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed the sanction in a statement it released on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
The AIU collected Kemboi’s sample during the EDP Lisbon Marathon, which took place in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 6, 2024. Laboratory analysis conducted at a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited facility in Lisbon detected the presence of Triamcinolone acetonide—a corticosteroid listed under the S9 category of the 2024 WADA Prohibited List.
Athletes face bans for taking this substance through non-permitted routes because it enhances performance and masks pain or inflammation.
Kemboi, who had not applied for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), did not dispute the findings.
In a letter dated April 2, 2025, he admitted doping, waiving his right to B-sample analysis or appeal. The AIU reduced his ban from four to two years since he accepted the violation and was a first-time offender.
“The AIU confirms by this decision the following consequences for a first Anti-Doping Rule Violation: a period of ineligibility of two (2) years commencing on April 7, 2025; and disqualification of the Athlete’s results on and since October 6, 2024, with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, prizes and appearance money,” the official ruling stated.
The Athletics Integrity Unit annulled all of Emmanuel Kemboi’s results, accolades, and earnings achieved since October 6, 2024. Though ineligible to compete until April 2027, the damage to his reputation and career may be significantly more lasting.
Athletes misuse Triamcinolone acetonide for performance enhancement in endurance sports, although doctors medically prescribe it to treat inflammation.
The AIU emphasized that the athlete did not ingest the substance through any permitted route, indicating a clear violation occurred.
“It was not apparent that the adverse analytical finding was caused by an ingestion of the relevant prohibited substance through a permitted route,” AIU stated.
“Therefore, on March 28, 2025, the AIU notified the athlete of the adverse analytical finding in accordance with Article 5.1.2.1 of the ISRM, including that the adverse analytical finding may result in anti-doping rule violations pursuant to Rule 2.1 ADR and/or Rule 2.2 ADR,” it added.
This comes amid rising global pressure on Kenyan athletics to restore credibility after multiple high-profile doping scandals in recent years. While Kenya remains a powerhouse in long-distance running, repeated scandals threaten the integrity of its athletic achievements.
