Kenyan-born world champion runner Norah Jeruto cleared of doping charges

Kazakhstan athlete Norah Jeruto, born in Kenya, has triumphed in her doping case against the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Jeruto, who claimed gold in steeplechase for Kazakhstan at the 2022 World Championships, was unable to defend her title last year due to a provisional suspension.

Reports indicated irregularities in her biological passport, but no banned substances were found in her system.          

The case centered on whether blood samples from 2020 and 2021 showed abnormalities that could constitute anti-doping rule violations.

Jeruto attributed the unusual test results to stomach ulcers and a bout of COVID-19.

CAS issued a statement confirming that the decision, which found Jeruto not in violation of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules regarding the alleged abnormalities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), has been upheld.

World Athletics had appealed the decision, seeking a four-year ban for Jeruto. However, CAS announced on Tuesday that the appeal had been dismissed.

“In its appeal to CAS, World Athletics had sought the imposition of a four-year period of ineligibility. The CAS panel held a hearing on June 17 and 18, 2024, and, after deliberation, issued the operative part of its decision today, dismissing the appeal,” the statement said.

Jeruto, who switched her allegiance to Kazakhstan, won the world 3000m steeplechase title in Eugene in 2022 with a championship record of 8:53.02 – the third-fastest time in history.

Prior to her nationality switch, she won the African Championships in 2016 and the Diamond League title in 2021 representing Kenya.

Jeruto also claimed the world Under-18 title in the 2000m steeplechase in 2011, but missed the Tokyo Olympics due to her nationality change.

Jeruto is now set to compete at the Paris Olympic Games.