Marathoner Vincent Kipsegechi Yator has been banned from taking part in international competition after he violated the anti-doping regulations.
The athlete, who finished third in Honolulu Marathon in 2018, received the shocker from the International Association of Athletics Federation’s (IAAF) Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU) on Wednesday.
Daily Nation reports that the athlete undertook doping test and was found positive to a banned substance before he was barred from future competition. The doctors found out that his blood contained prohibited Prednisolone, Testosterone and Prednisone.
In 2010, Yator bagged the National 5000 title in the Africa Championships in Nairobi after staging an exemplary performance on the track. The win saw him chosen by the national team to represent the country during the Intercontinental Cup in Croatia.
He has also represented the nation in different competitions including the 5,000 m at the Delhi Commonwealth Games where he came fourth and Maputo Africa Games in 2011 where he finished in a similar position in the 5000 meters competition.
The ban comes at a time when the government has remained vigilant on cases of athletes engaging in doping. The Ministry of Sports declared that it will not tolerate athletes who soil the name of the country by engaging in doping.
Other athletes who have suffered the same fate in the world contests are former three-time World 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, Olympic marathon champion Jemimah Sumgong, Lucy Kabuu Salome Jerono Biwott Felix Kirwa, Samson Mungai Kagia and Hilary Kepkosgei Yego.