Verified Evidence: resolved · Fact Lock: locked · QA: pass
Peres Jepchirchir was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit on 23 October 2026 after an out-of-competition sample returned an adverse analytical finding for EPO, a banned substance associated with increased red-blood-cell production.

The sample was collected in Kenya before Jepchirchir won the Sydney Marathon in August, according to the locked reporting on the case. The available account does not establish the precise date of collection.

EPO, or erythropoietin, is described in the reports as a banned blood booster. The finding concerns an out-of-competition test rather than a sample taken during the Sydney race itself.

Jepchirchir is described as the reigning or current women's world marathon champion. She also won Olympic gold in the marathon at the Tokyo Games in 2021.

The suspension is an interim measure while the case is investigated. It does not, on its own, establish a final anti-doping rule violation or determine what final sanction, if any, may follow.

SOURCES

  1. The Guardian SportWorld and Olympic marathon champion Jepchirchir suspended after positive doping test
  2. Al JazeeraKenya’s marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir provisionally banned by AIU
  3. ABC Australia SportSydney marathon champion Jepchirchir provisionally banned over EPO finding
  4. BBC NewsWorld champion Jepchirchir fails drugs test
  5. Sky NewsFormer Olympic marathon champion suspended after failed drugs test