Bahrain's Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa Provisionally Suspended for EPO

By Adam Kopet

The Athletics Integrity Unit has provisionally suspended Bahrain's Eunice Jepkirui Kirwa after a positive test for the blood-boosting drug EPO.

Kirwa won a silver medal in the marathon at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Her positive doping test follows the ban of gold medal winner Jemima Sumgong of Kenya for doping. Sumgong had her original eight-year ban doubled to eight years for providing forged documents in her defense. Both women will keep their Olympic medals, as their doping offenses were discovered after the Olympics.

Kirwa's suspension is only provisional at this point as her case goes through the legal process. She will be unable to race until the process is completed and, if found guilty, she serves whatever punishment the Athletics Integrity Unit hands down.

Kirwa won one of two medals by Bahraini athletes. The other athlete, Ruth Jebet, won gold in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Jebet is currently serving a doping suspension.

Evelyn Watta reports Kirwa's husband, Joshua Kemei, is the coach of recently suspended half marathon world record holder Abraham Kiptum of Kenya.

Olympic marathon silver medallist Eunice Kirwa, EPO ban. 2nd elite Kenyan born Bahraini banned.
Last month world half marathon record holder Abraham Kiptum was suspended for ABP violation. Kiptum's coach is Joshua Kemei, who is Kirwa's husband. https://t.co/NMvNSULro9

— Evelyn Watta (@evelynwatta) May 21, 2019