NAIROBI, Kenya, October 19 – Long distance runner Raymond Tanui, has been handed a two-year ban by athletics governing body IAAF for taking an illegal substance.IAAF announced on Sunday that Tanui will not feature in any competition for two years after he was found guilty of “use or attempted use of EPO / Possession of EPO.”
Athletics Kenya (AK) general secretary, David Okeyo, said that the 25 year old Tanui committed the offence in June.
“He was caught in a 10k race and the explanation he gave to AK’s Medical Committee when he appeared before them on June 29 was not satisfactory,” said Okeyo.
Okeyo added that they suspended Tanui on July 17 and gave his name to IAAF.
“I have received communication from IAAF that he will not be illegible to compete for a two-year period,” Okeyo said.
Tanui will now have his results from June 9 this year cancelled by the governing body and he will become eligible to compete again on July 16, 2011.
Tanui now joins a cast of other Kenyan runners who have banned for doping.
Three time world half marathon silver medallist Susan Chepkemei was banned after traces of Salbutamol, which was part of her medication for asthma , were found in her body two years ago.
Four hundred metres runner Elizabeth Muthuka missed out on last year’s Beijing Olympics after being banned for Nandrolone use.
Lydia Cheromei was found guilty of clomiphene doping and received an IAAF suspension from May 2005 to May 2007.
Pamela Chepchumba served a two year suspension for taking at the 2003 World Cross Country Championships in Lausanne.