The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics has provisionally suspended Kenyan marathoner Lawrence Cherono and United States of America 400 metres runner Randolph Ross over doping-related offences, the body announced today.
Both athletes have been kicked out of the 2022 World Athletics Championships, which began yesterday and will run through July 24 in Oregon, USA.
“The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has today provisionally suspended marathon runner, Lawrence Cherono of Kenya, and 400m runner, Randolph Ross of the USA, meaning both athletes are out of the World Athletics Championships Oregon22,” the AIU noted in a statement on their official website today.
“A sample collected from Lawrence Cherono tested positive for trimetazidine, a substance that is prohibited under the 2022 WADA Prohibited List as a metabolic modulator.
“Substances in this category modify how the body metabolizes fat. Trimetazidine is approved for use in some countries
to treat chest pain stemming from a lack of blood supply and oxygen to the heart.
“Trimetazidine is a non-specified substance, and a provisional suspension is mandatory following an adverse
analytical finding for such a substance under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules unless certain conditions apply.”
The AIU explained that it collected the sample from Cherono during an out-of-competition test on May 23, and the World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory in Lausanne that analysed the sample received it four days later before notifying the AIU of the positive test on July 13.
Cherono, who holds the eighth fastest marathon time of all time with his 2:03:04 clocking at the 2020 Valencia Marathon and won the Boston and Chicago Marathons in 2019, was on his way to Eugene for the World Athletics Championships when the AIU learnt of his positive sample.
He was notified when he arrived in Eugene on July 14.
“In accordance with the Rules, the athlete was provided with an opportunity to show cause to the AIU why he should not be provisionally suspended,” the AIU added.
“Having considered the submission of Mr Cherono, received late on 15 July, the AIU has determined that a provisional suspension should apply with immediate effect and Mr Cherono will not take part
in the marathon on 17 July.
“The AIU notes that under the WADA International Standard for Laboratories, reporting of sample results should occur within twenty (20) days of receipt of the sample.
“In this case, the delay to the time of reporting was 47 days. The AIU has made a formal complaint to the laboratory in relation to this unacceptable delay, which has denied the opportunity for another Kenyan athlete to take the place of Mr Cherono in the marathon.”
In the case of Ross, the AIU accused the American of not being available for a mandatory dope test.
“Randolph Ross has today been issued a Notice of Allegation by the AIU alleging a violation of Rule 2.5 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules for tampering with the doping control process,” the body wrote.
“The allegation arises out of the athlete’s conduct during the course of an investigation into a potential
whereabouts violation. There was an unsuccessful attempt by the AIU to test Mr Ross on 18 June 2022 and the investigation into this matter concluded when Mr Ross was interviewed by the AIU in Eugene on 14 July.
“The AIU has imposed a provisional suspension on Mr Ross with immediate effect and Mr Ross will not take part in the 400m heats on 17 July.”
