Marathon star Wanjiru suspended for anti-doping violation

The 2017 London Marathon champion Daniel Wanjiru is the latest Kenyan athlete to be suspended provisionally by the Athletics Intergrity Unit (AIU) for anti-doping violation.

In a statement released on Tuesday, AIU found a violation on Wanjiru’s Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) which monitors athletes selected biological variables over time.

The 28-year old rose to the limelight at the 2017 London Marathon when he destroyed a strong field to win the race in 2:05:48 beating Ethiopian great Kenenisa Bekele who finished second.

The athlete has returned to the English capital in two occasions but has failed to recapture his title owing to multiple injuries as well as his dip in form.

In 2018, Wanjiru finished a distant 8th before dropping further to 11th place at the 2019 race which was won by compatriot Eliud Kipchoge.

Wanjiru now joins the list of Kenya’s high profile athletes who have been suspended since the start of 2020.

Others are the former world marathon record holder Wilson Kipsang and former world junior 800m champion Alfred Kipketer both whom were charged for whereabout failure.

The athlete now stands suspended until his case is concluded and a rule on the same issued.