Athlete James Karanja handed 4-year ban by AIU

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has handed a four-year ban to 32-year-old Kenyan athlete James Karanja Gikunga due to a doping violation.

The ban comes after the athlete tested positive for the presence/use of a prohibited substance, namely 19-norandrosterone, 19-noretiocholanolone, and Nandrolone. The disqualification of results is effective from September 10, 2023.

James Karanja's sample

The AIU reported that in September 2023, Gikunga provided a urine sample during the 'Scenic Half Marathon' in Krabi, Thailand, which subsequently revealed the presence of prohibited substances.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Bangkok confirmed an Adverse Analytical Finding based on the identified metabolites.

Despite being notified of the adverse finding on October 6, 2023, Gikunga failed to respond within the given deadlines.

The AIU extended multiple deadlines for the athlete to respond to the Notice of Allegation and the subsequent Notice of Charge, but Gikunga did not provide any responses.

Notably, the athlete participated in the Tropical Rainforest Run in Sabah, Malaysia, on November 26, 2023, during the provisional suspension period. This act was deemed a violation of the prohibition of participation during Provisional Suspension.

James Karanja's ban

As a consequence, Gikunga is now facing a four-year period of ineligibility starting from January 25, 2024, until January 24, 2028. Additionally, all results achieved by the athlete since September 10, 2023, will be disqualified, leading to the forfeiture of titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and appearance money.

This marks Gikunga's first Anti-Doping Rule Violation, and the AIU has specified that the athlete did not demonstrate that the violation was unintentional. Despite the opportunity for a reduction in the period of ineligibility through early admission, Gikunga failed to avail himself of this option.

The AIU has publicly reported this decision on its website, and Gikunga, along with relevant agencies like WADA and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), has the right to appeal this final decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.