Former world record holder asked a stuntman to test for doping

Former indoor 600m world record holder Michael Saruni has been banned for four years for asking someone else to take his place in a doping test during the 2022 World Championships qualifiers.

The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) found Saruni guilty of "evading sample collection or failing to provide convincing justification, refusal and absconding".

In June 2022, ADAK informed Saruni that he would be required to undergo a drug test immediately after the 800m final at the Kenya World Championships. He was asked to provide blood and urine samples. But Saruni called someone who looked like him to provide the samples instead. According to ADAK’s report, the athlete locked himself in the bathroom. The drug tester later discovered that someone had moved into Saruni’s bathroom.

Saruni (left) on the track at the Miramar Invitational in Florida, USA in 2021. Photo: @kevmofoto

When approached to identify the man, he fled and is believed to have jumped over the perimeter wall. Saruni said he had not been notified of the doping test he was required to take in the qualifying round. However, the Kenyan was found guilty and banned from competing until August 30, 2028.

Saruni holds the world record for the indoor 600m with a personal best (PB) of 1:14.79. He also holds the Kenyan record for the indoor 800m, with a time of 1:14.98 at the Millrose Games – an annual indoor athletics competition held in February in New York – in 2019.

There are currently 75 Kenyan athletes on the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) global ineligible list. Over the past two years, the Kenyan government has launched a five-year, $25 million campaign to test more athletes and eliminate doping in athletics. The AIU is also working with the Kenyan government, Athletics Kenya and ADAK to address the issue.

Hong Duy

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