Athlete Appeals Doping Suspension as World Athletics Looks Towards Paris Olympics

World Athletics has announced an appeal to challenge a ruling that cleared Norah Jeruto of suspected blood doping in 2022. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear the appeal on June 17, just five weeks before the Paris Olympics kick off.

Jeruto, who previously competed for Kenya, won gold in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2022 world championships in Eugene, Oregon. However, she was suspended during an investigation and could not defend her title last year. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) implicated Jeruto in banned blood transfusions and taking the endurance-boosting hormone EPO.

Despite not testing positive for any banned substances, Jeruto’s blood test results in 2020 and 2021 were found to be irregular. She claimed that ulcers and a bout of COVID-19 could explain these abnormalities. An independent tribunal evaluating the case determined that there was sufficient doubt in her defense to clear her of the doping allegations.

However, experts testified that Jeruto’s ulcers could have caused internal bleeding, accounting for the irregular blood test results. There was no evidence to support the claim that she had received any transfusions. Jeruto went on to become the African champion and win on the Diamond League circuit in 2021.

With the Paris Olympics scheduled to take place from August 6-8, there is a possibility of an urgent CAS verdict before the women’s steeplechase event. Jeruto’s eligibility to compete in the Games will likely be determined by the outcome of the hearing in June.