Athletics Kenya has banned Rita Jeptoo (pictured), winner of the Boston and Chicago Marathons in 2013 and 2014, for two years following a positive test for erythropoietin (EPO). ‘Athletics Kenya would like to confirm that it has sanctioned Rita Jeptoo for 2 years effective from 30th October 2014 to 29th October 2016 following the results of A sample and B sample having used the prohibited substance EPO’, read a 30 January Athletics Kenya statement.

Jeptoo was due to be crowned as World Marathon Majors (WMM) Women’s Champion in New York on 2 November last year. ‘The winner of the women’s World Marathon Majors 2013/2014 will not be announced until the completion of due process by the IAAF and the outcome of any appeal by Jeptoo’, read a WMM statement.

Jeptoo had previously claimed that her positive A and B samples may have been the result of substances administered to her in hospital, following a road accident. Jeptoo was tested out of competition in September last year by WMM in partnership with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), after her estranged husband, Noah Busienei, made allegations that she had been doping since 2011. Her B-sample tested positive in December.

The allegations were made in an April 2013 letter, in which Busienei attempted to secure a financial settlement with Jeptoo by threatening to lodge a ‘doping dossier’ with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Agence France Presse (AFP) has confirmed the letter is authentic through contacting Busienei’s lawyer.