The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has reduced by one year a doping ban on Kenyan marathon runner Purity Changwony after she admitted to anti-doping rule violations.
Her period of ineligibility has consequently gone from four to three years. The Kenyan is free to restart her running career this year.
The decision, published on the AIU website, follows Changwony’s cooperation with anti-doping authorities in Kenya, which led to a significant reduction in her period of ineligibility.
Purity Changwony, 34, tested positive for two banned substances—Norandrosterone and Triamcinolone acetonide—after providing a urine sample at the Volkswagen Prague Marathon in May 2022. Meanwhile, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Germany confirmed the presence of these substances, which are both prohibited under the WADA 2022 Prohibited List.
Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Review
In addition, the AIU reviewed the findings and confirmed that Purity Changwony did not have a Therapeutic Use Exemption for either substance. The organisation found no irregularities in the testing process. On July 28, 2022, the AIU notified Changwony of the adverse finding and imposed a provisional suspension.
Purity Changwony responded by admitting to the violations and offered substantial assistance to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya. The Department of Criminal Investigations, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Her cooperation played a key role in reducing her ban.
Under World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, a first violation usually results in a four-year ban. However, because Purity Changwony admitted early and provided significant assistance, the AIU reduced her sanction to two years and three months. Purity Changwony originally faced a four-year ban, but her cooperation with authorities led to a reduced sanction.
Her ban was initially set to extend through 2026, but has now been lifted. However, the period from July 28, 2022, to October 27, 2024, remains in effect. As a result, all results from May 8, 2022, onward have been disqualified, which means she will need to forfeit any medals, titles, and prize money earned during that timeframe.
This situation serves as an important reminder of the integrity of competition and the commitment to fair play in sports.
Also, the AIU’s decision highlights the importance of athlete cooperation in anti-doping investigations and reinforces its commitment to clean sport. For more details, visit the AIU website and read the full decision.
