Olympic champion Jemima Sumgong during the Rio Olympics medal ceremony. [Photo/abc.net]
Reigning Olympic and London marathon champion, Jemima Sumgong, is likely to lose her gold medal after she failed an announced drug test on Friday.
Sumgong, who made record by being the first Kenyan woman to win Olympic marathon gold , tested positive to a banned substance and is likely to lose her gold medal to Kenyan-turned-Bahranian, Eunice Kirwa.
Sumgong was due to defend her London title on 23 April.
Kenya was last year declared in breach of anti-doping rules, and athletes underwent special testing for Rio 2016.
Sumgong is currently provisionally suspended, and she will face sanctions and reduction of her medal if her B-sample also tests positive.
“We can confirm that an anti-doping rule violation case concerning Jemima Sumgong (Kenya) has commenced this week,” the IAAF said in a statement. “The athlete tested positive for EPO (Erythropoietin) following a no-notice test conducted in Kenya.
“I train extremely hard. That’s the only way to succeed in athletics. I’m yet to receive the news. Good evening all,” she posted on her Facebook page at about 4:30pm Friday.
Following the disclosure, London Marathon organisers said they have banned Sumgong from defending her title after failing the drug test.