Rita Jeptoo, World's Best Female Marathoner, Tests Positive

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In an exclusive to RunBlogRun, trusted sources have confirmed that, at the end of September 2014, Rita Jeptoo tested positive in her A sample test for a banned substance in an out of competition testing. The out of competition testing procedure was done in Kenya. The testing was done by a urine sample. 

In an exclusive to RunBlogRun, trusted sources have confirmed that, at the end of September 2014, Rita Jeptoo tested positive in her A sample test for a banned substance in an out of competition testing. The out of competition testing procedure was done in Kenya. The testing was done by a urine sample. 

Following this test, Rita Jeptoo won the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, defending her title. 

In such situations, and per WADA rules, a B sample of the athlete must be tested, and the representative of said athlete, or athlete may be in attendance. The B sample has not been tested at this time. 

This situation creates a conundrum for the World Marathon Majors, who are holding their awards ceremony for the 2013-2014 male and female winners of the WMM series this weekend. 

What makes this situation even more challenging is the current issue that has evolved with Liliya Shobukhova, a former two-time World Marathon Majors Series winner, who is facing unresolved issues regarding athlete biological passport tests. 

RunBlogRun reached out to Frederica Rosa, agent and manager for Rita Jeptoo, but he was unavailable for comment. 

Carey Pinkowski, Race Director of the 2014 Bank of America Chicago Marathon was unavailable for comment. 

At this time, representatives of the World Marathon Majors were unavailable for comment. 

RunBlogRun will update on the details of this situation as they develop. 

*** UPDATE: Statement By World Marathon Majors regarding Rita Jeptoo ***

Editor's note: The following piece was posted on the World Marathon Majors site this morning.

World Marathon Majors is disappointed to learn that Rita Jeptoo has apparently had an A test that proved positive for a banned substance under IAAF rules.

World Marathon Majors has been at the forefront of the fight against doping in our sport and has a rule that no athlete can win the World Marathon Majors Series title, who has been in breach of IAAF anti-doping rules. WMM events were the first major events to confirm that all elite athletes taking part in their events would be blood tested and have consistently called for wider testing by others. Additionally, WWM has previously agreed that any athlete found guilty of a doping offence will not be invited back to its races.

As part of that fight against doping, WMM has been giving support and financial help to the IAAF anti doping drive and helped fund a wider programme of out of competition testing.   

Nick Bitel General Counsel of WMM said, "WMM has always held a stern line on drugs cheats and has been proactively supporting the sports governing bodies to ensure the integrity of the athletes competing in their races. Cheats need to understand that they are not welcome in our sport and that they will be caught."

 At present there has been no decision in this case by the IAAF, including in relation to sanctions, and as a result WMM is unable to comment further until that determination has been made although in the circumstances it has been decided to postpone the WMM Awards Ceremony that was due to take place on the 2nd November 2014.  

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