In a landmark decision making waves in athletics, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the dismissal of doping charges against Norah Jeruto. Jeruto is the reigning world champion in the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase and now represents Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, World Athletics, acting through the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), initially charged her with using prohibited substances or methods. The allegations stemmed from blood samples collected between 2016 and 2022. Authorities focused particularly on samples from 2020 and 2021. These findings led to Jeruto’s provisional suspension between April and November 2023. Missing the World Championships in Budapest as a result.
However, Norah Jeruto, a Kenyan-born athlete who switched allegiance to Kazakhstan, defended herself by presenting expert medical evidence. Her team argued that gastrointestinal bleeding and a viral infection—likely COVID-19—caused the abnormalities, not doping. The World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal agreed, acquitting her in October 2023, and lifted her suspension immediately.
World Athletics appealed the decision to CAS, seeking a four-year ban and disqualification of results from September 2020 onwards. The CAS panel reviewed the scientific evidence and expert testimony thoroughly. The panel concluded reasonable doubt existed about whether doping caused the abnormalities.
The panel recognised the case’s complexity and the credibility of the expert witnesses. It ultimately upheld the Tribunal’s decision to dismiss the charges.
“We accept that there was at least room for the view that the conclusions were somewhat speculative,” the CAS award states. “On balance, we cannot say that World Athletics has proved their case to the samples so that we are comfortably satisfied. Whilst we recognise that compelling arguments were made here in favour of the view of the Expert Panel, we consider there is sufficient doubt on this part of the case that it would be unfair to convict the Athlete.”
Moreover, this ruling stands as a significant victory for athlete rights and scientific fairness in anti-doping procedures. The AIU’s decision to make the full arbitral award publicly available underscores its commitment to transparency and integrity in sports.
In addition, Norah Jeruto remains eligible to compete, and her results stand, reaffirming her status as one of the world’s top steeplechasers. Moreover, this marks a significant moment for transparency and athlete rights in international sports.
