Former New York Marathon winner Albert Korir receives five-year doping ban
Former New York Marathon champion Albert Korir has been handed a five-year ban from athletics after testing positive for a blood-boosting substance.
The 32-year-old tested positive for CERA, a modern variant of erythropoietin (EPO), across three separate samples collected in Kenya last October.
Those tests were conducted while the long-distance specialist was preparing for a subsequent race in the United States.
Aggravating circumstances
The Athletics Integrity Unit confirmed that all of the runner’s results since October will be disqualified.
This ruling means he will lose his third-place finish from last November’s event in New York.
Investigators noted that returning three positive samples constituted clear evidence of prohibited substance use on multiple occasions.
“This is expressly identified in the definition of aggravating circumstances.”
Admission reduces sanction
The Kenyan athlete’s suspension is currently scheduled to expire in January 2031.
His punishment was reduced by a year because he admitted to the doping violation rather than requesting a formal hearing.
Despite the severe penalty, the 2021 champion will be allowed to retain his most famous victory.
He has also historically performed well in the Big Apple, finishing as runner-up in both 2019 and 2023.
Wider East African concerns
This latest suspension adds to growing anti-doping concerns within Kenyan athletics.
Women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich was recently banned for three years following her own positive test.
She returned a sample containing the banned substance hydrochlorothiazide earlier this year.
However, the Chicago Marathon winner has been allowed to keep her historic world record time because it pre-dated the failed test.
