World Marathon Champion Peres Jepchirchir Provisionally Suspended After EPO Finding

The case centres on a sample taken from Peres Jepchirchir outside competition that tested positive for EPO, according to the BBC.

Al Jazeera described EPO as a banned blood booster and reported that the sample was taken before Jepchirchir's Sydney Marathon win in August.

Jepchirchir won the Olympic marathon in Tokyo in 2021 and is the reigning world marathon champion, L'Équipe reported. Those titles make the suspension a major development involving one of Kenya's leading runners.

The sample at the centre of the case preceded her August Sydney victory, according to Al Jazeera. The supplied coverage does not give an exact collection date.

On October 23, 2026, the BBC reported that the Athletics Integrity Unit had provisionally suspended Jepchirchir following the positive result. Guardian Sport also reported that the unit was investigating.

The action reported by the BBC is a provisional suspension, not a final ruling on the case. The distinction matters: the positive finding has triggered action, but the supplied reports do not establish a final outcome.

The coverage provided does not include a response from Jepchirchir, a hearing date or a decision on any longer sanction.

The next substantive development will be the outcome of the Athletics Integrity Unit's investigation, which Guardian Sport reported was under way. A response from Jepchirchir and details of any proceedings would help clarify how the finding is being addressed.

The supplied coverage does not say whether her Sydney result or any other results will be affected. No change to those results can be established from these reports.