Former Marathon World Record Holder Wilson Kipsang Faces Ban

By Adam Kopet

Wilson Kipsang of Kenya has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit for whereabouts failures and tampering of evidence.

Kipsang broke the marathon world record at the 2013 Berlin Marathon, running 2:03:23. He has since lowered his personal best to 2:03:13. Kipsang also earned the bronze medal in the marathon at the 2012 Olympics and won the Berlin, London, New York City and Tokyo Marathons in his career.

An athlete can face suspension for missing three out-out-of-competition tests, often called whereabouts failures. The additional charge of tampering is not publicly defined in Kipsang's case.

However, NBC Sports reports the charge of tampering does not pertain to tampering with a doping control sample or testing procedure.

Kipsang, 37, will not be able to compete until his case is resolved. His last race was the 2019 London Marathon, where he finished 12th in 2:09:18.