In February 2019 the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Felix Kiptoo Kirwa because his sample tested positive for the prohibited substance Strychnine. After notification the Athlete admitted the violation, waived his right to be heard, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the IAAF.
The Athlete explained with evidence that he had used herbal medicine products as treatment for his arthritis. These products have the ingredient Strychnos nuxvomica, which contain Strychnine, while Strychnine itself was not listed on either product.
Considering the Athlete's evidence the IAAF accepts that the violation was not intentional and that presence of Strychnine in the Athlete's sample is consistent with the Athlete's ingestion of the herbal medicine products for therapeutic reasons. Further the IAAF finds that the Athlete established No Significant Fault or Negligence for a reduced sanction and demonstrated how the substance entered his system.
Therefore the IAAF Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) decides on 11 June 2019 to impose a 9 month period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 14 February 2019.
