Lawrence Cherono Receives Seven-Year Ban for Doping Violation

Lawrence Cherono, a prominent Kenyan marathon runner, has received a seven-year ban for violating anti-doping regulations. Authorities penalized the 35-year-old athlete for testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine (TMZ) and attempting to obstruct the investigation. Cherono’s ban, backdated to his initial suspension in July 2022, makes him ineligible to compete until 2029. Lawrence Cherono, who previously won the Boston and Chicago marathons, initially attributed his positive test to an injection a doctor gave him for stomach pain.

He later changed his explanation, claiming confusion over his wife’s medication. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) emphasized the severity of the sanction, citing it as a deterrent against doping in sports. Brett Clothier, head of the AIU, praised the rigorous investigation that led to the decision, affirming their commitment to upholding integrity in athletics. This case mirrors recent doping controversies in sports, such as the four-year ban handed to Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva for TMZ use before the 2022 Winter Olympics.

It also recalls the 2021 incident where 23 Chinese swimmers, who tested positive for TMZ were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Games after the China Anti-Doping Agency determined they inadvertently ingested the substance due to contamination. The AIU robust stance underscores its dedication to preserving fairness and transparency in sports, ensuring thorough investigation and resolution of all doping violations.