Habari Za Wiki- 15nd February, 2022
The Running News
February 15th-22nd 2022
CAS Upholds Wanjiru’s Doping ban
The court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed an appeal by Daniel Wanjiru against a four-year doping ban that was handed to him in 2019.
Daniel Wanjiru came to the limelight when he beat Ethiopia’s Long-distance Legend Kenenisa Bekele to win the 2017 London Marathon. Wanjiru was banned by Athletics Integrity Unit for an Athlete’s biological passport (ABP) Violation after they detected unusually high levels of Hemoglobin in his blood Sample.
Wanjiru was flagged down in 2019 and later provisionally suspended in April 2020 and handed a four-year ban in October the same year. A ruling he appealed as he was not in agreement. Wanjiru in his defense argued that the AIU made an error by failing to undertake a second sample to confirm the results of the first one thus the false positive. Wanjiru further argued that it was impossible for him to undergo massive blood transfusion as World Athletics experts had stated.
World Athletics stated that the Athlete’s high ABP indicates blood doping as it cannot be explained by any other pathological or physiological cause.
With his appeal dismissed, the earliest date we can expect to see some action from the 2017 London marathon Champion is December 8th, 2023, We wish Wanjiru the best of luck as he permeates this hard part of his career.
Chepkemoi/ Chebolei Reign supreme at the Agnes Tirop Tour
It was yet another incredible performance from Joyce Chepkemoi as she stormed to victory in the women's senior race at the Agnes Tirop Memorial World Cross country Tour at Lobo Village in Eldoret.
After Winning the National cross country Championships two weeks ago, Chepkemoi proved to everyone that she was in her best form and we’re yet to see more of the wins this year.
Chepkemoi finished first timing 34:02 two seconds slower than her previous win at the national cross country championships, World 5000m silver medalist Margaret Chelimo on the other hand settled for second place finishing the race in 34:09. Nespine Jeplting was third in 34:22.
“My biggest desire this year is to run at the World Championships in Oregon, specifically the 10,000m. I hope by the grace of God it will be a similar story for me as has been in the cross country” said Chepkemoi after the race.
In the Men’s Senior race, National Cross country Champion Samuel Chebeloi cruised to victory in 29:46 as compatriots Nicholas Kimeli (30:00) and Michael Kibet (30:10) settled for second place and third place respectively.
Chebeloi ran a tactical race taking full command in the last two laps to prove that yet again he was King. He said having raced in the course during the National Cross country Championships gave him a much-needed advantage.
Nicholas Kimeli on the other hand improved from the previous fourth-place finish at the National cross country championships to finish behind Chebeloi.
We wish them all the best as they prepare for the busy Athletic season that Awaits us all.
Chepkemoi/ Chebulei Reign supreme at the Agnes Tirop Tour
It was yet another incredible performance from Joyce Chepkemoi as she stormed to Victory in the women's senior race at the Agnes Tirop Memorial World Cross country Tour at Lobo Village in Eldoret.
After Winning the National cross country Championships two weeks ago, Chepkemoi proved to everyone that she was in her best form and we’re yet to see more of the wins this year.
Chepkemoi finished first timing 34:02 two seconds slower than her previous win at the national cross country championships, World 5000m silver medalist Margaret Chelimo on the other hand settled for second place finishing the race in 34:09. Nespine Jeplting was third in 34:22.
“My biggest desire this year is to run at the World Championships in Oregon, specifically the 10,000m. I hope by the grace of God it will be a similar story for me as has been in the cross country” said Chepkemoi after the race.
In the Men’s Senior race, National Cross country Champion Samuel Chebulei cruised to victory in 29:46 as compatriots Nicholas Kimeli (30:00) and Michael Kibet (30:10) settled for second place and third place respectively.
Chebulei ran a tactical race taking full command in the last two laps to prove that yet again he was King. He said having raced in the course during the National Cross country Championships gave him a much needed advantage.
Nicholas Kimeli on the other hand improved from the previous fourth place finish at the National cross country championships to finish behind Chebulei.
We wish them all the best as they prepare for the busy Athletic season that Awaits us all.
Chepkemoi crossing the line during the National Cross-country Championships. Photo Courtesy of Bernard Okumu
Africa’s Fastest man breaks National 60m record Again
Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala is definitely having a fantastic start to the season. Omanyala once again set a new national record for 60m at meeting Metz Monselle Athelor in Metz, France this Saturday nine days after he broke the 17 year standing record at Miramas.
Omanyala Timed 6.60 seconds to better his previous national record set nine days ago at Miramas Indoor Meeting in France by 0.03 seconds.
Omanyala who holds the record in 100m timed 9:77 seconds broke the 17 year record twice last week during the Miramas meet where he clocked 6:65 during the heats then 6:63 in the finals where he finished first.
He Keeps getting better and is certainly destined for greatness, all we know is we’ll be cheering him on as he continues breaking records! Well in Sprint King.
Non-Kenyan News
British 4x100 men’s relay stripped off their Olympic medal
Barely six months after the Tokyo Olympics, The British 4X100 men's relay team has been stripped of their Silver medal. This was after sprinter C.J. Ujah tested positive for prohibited substances.
The Court of Arbitration for sports this Friday upheld the ruling after C.J Ujah tested positive for Ostarine and S-23, both banned substances.
This means that Britain's second-place finish behind Italy has been Nullified and Canada will instead receive the Silver Medal and China awarded Bronze.
Injury Forces Laura Muir to stay Out
28 year old Olympic silver medalist in 1500m, withdrew from last Saturday's DNA Athletics event in Glasgow, and is now set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
She had hoped to set a new 1,000m indoor record at the Grand Prix event in Birmingham this weekend but her back injury has forced her to stay out as she recovers.
“I am sad to announce that I am not going to be able to compete at this weekend’s Muller Indoor Grand Prix in Birmingham. After further investigation on Friday into an injury I sustained a few weeks ago, I have to take some time off running to recover” said Laura on a Twitter post.