MONACO — Kenyan long-distance runner Benard Kibet Koech, who earned a commendable fifth place in the men’s 10,000-meter race at the Paris Olympics, has found himself at the center of controversy. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Wednesday that Koech is facing a provisional suspension due to doping concerns.
According to the AIU, the athlete received a notification regarding detected irregularities in his athlete biological passport. This document is a crucial tool in the fight against doping, allowing for the detection of potential abnormalities in an athlete’s blood values over time, even if there is no direct evidence of a banned substance.
At 25 years old, Koech’s running career is now under scrutiny as the AIU suspects him of employing a prohibited substance or method. The development marks a significant moment in his career as authorities continue to investigate the findings.