Kenya’s fight against doping in athletics received a major blow this week after another local athlete was named on the list of dopers.
Cyrus Ruto, the 5000m specialist, has been slapped with provisional suspension by the IAAF Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for violation of anti-doping rule.
The move comes at a time the country waits to know the fate of another top athlete, Asbel Kiprop, who is fighting to clear his name after he was suspended for the same offence.
Kenya athletes are among the most tested runners in the world as the East African nation remains on the IAAF watch list of nations under doping scrutiny.
“AIU confirms the provisional suspension against Ruto for violation of the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules.” the anti-doping watchdog posted on its Twitter account.
Ruto shot to limelight after he was dropped from Team Kenya from the last Olympic squad but he would later make the cut to the 2017 World Championship squad.
If found guilty, Ruto will join Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong, three-time Boston Marathon champion Rita Jeptoo, Sarah Chepchirchir, former Milano Marathon champion Lucy Kabuu, who is serving a two-year ban.
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