The first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the marathon, Jemima Sumgong, has tested positive for a banned drug the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has announced.

32 year old Sumgong, who won gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016, has been tested positive for the blood-booster EPO in an out-of-competition test carried out by the IAAF, the sport’s governing body has confirmed.

Jemima Sumgong won the Boston and New York City Marathons in 2014, and the London Marathon in 2016 before going on to win gold in Rio the same year.

IAAF SUMGONG STATEMENT

The IAAF statement reads: “The IAAF can confirm that an anti-doping rule violation case concerning Jemima Sumgong (Kenya) has commenced this week.”

“The athlete tested positive for EPO (Erythropoietin) following a no-notice test conducted by the IAAF in Kenya.

“This was part of an enhanced IAAF out-of-competition testing programme dedicated to elite marathon runners.”

SUMGONG COULD BE BANNED

If the B sample provided by Sumgong is also confirmed as positive she will be banned from international athletics competitions.

The news of Sumgong’s positive drugs test comes shortly after a four-year ban was placed on Kenya’s multi-marathon champion Rita Jeptoo after she tested positive for EPO in 2014. Jeptoo had been Sumgong’s former training partner.