Albert Korir Receives Five-Year Doping Ban

Albert Korir, the 2021 New York Marathon champion, has been banned for five years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after testing positive for synthetic erythropoietin (EPO), a substance that stimulates red blood cell production. The positive test occurred during a competition in October 2025.

Korir, 32, initially faced a six-year suspension, which was reduced to five years due to his early admission of guilt. His ban will run until January 8, 2026, with provisions for suspension until January 7, 2031.

Korir recorded a marathon time of 2 hours, 08 minutes, and 22 seconds in New York and has a personal best of 2 hours, 06 minutes, and 57 seconds. This sanction follows a similar incident involving compatriot Ruth Chepngetich, the current world marathon record holder, who received a three-year ban for admitting to using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a banned diuretic.

The situation highlights ongoing doping issues in Kenya's athletics, which has faced scrutiny since the 2016 Rio Olympics.