Blow for Kenya as former half marathon champion Kibiwott Kandie is suspended

Former Valencia Half Marathon champion Kibiwott Kandie has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after failing to submit to sample collection.

This marks another setback for Kenyan athletics, which has faced increasing scrutiny due to a growing list of doping-related suspensions.

Kandie, a former half-marathon world record holder, is now temporarily barred from participating in any athletic competitions or activities pending a final decision at a hearing under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.

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The suspension comes at a crucial time for Kandie, who had been seeking redemption after an underwhelming 2024 season.

Having run a personal best of 2:06:46 in the full marathon at the 2024 Berlin Marathon—where he finished 13th—Kandie had set his sights on breaking the world record in the marathon.

His target was the Valencia Marathon, a course he has historically excelled in. However, his ambitions will now be on hold as the AIU investigates the case.

Kenya has been intensifying its fight against doping to protect its reputation in the global athletics community.

With multiple athletes recently facing bans, the country has been under pressure to reinforce anti-doping measures and uphold the integrity of the sport.

While Kandie's provisional suspension is not a declaration of guilt, it serves as a precautionary measure to safeguard the sport’s credibility.

As the AIU's investigation unfolds, the athletics world will be watching closely to see how Kandie's case develops.

For now, Kandie’s future in athletics remains uncertain as he awaits the outcome of the AIU's proceedings.