In March 2020 a Doping Control Officer (DCO) of World Athletics reported that the Kenyan Athlete Nelly Jepkosgei was not present at her home address on 18 March 2020 during the designated 60-minute time slot. The DCO was advised by the Athlete's husband that the Athlete was informed that her sister was involved an accident and that the Athlete had to leave her home address in an emergency before the DCO's arrival.
In April 2020 in her submission the Athlete confirmed with corroborating evidence that her sister had been involved in a serious car accident, admitted to the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital and that the Athlete attended that hospital at the time of her 60-minute time slot.
However investigations thereafter conducted by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) revealed the Kapsabet Police Station had no record of a car accident related to the Athlete's sister. Also the Kapsabet Country Referral Hospital had no hospital record of the Athlete's sister and her hospital admission on 18 March 2020. Further the Hospital confirmed that the Discharge Summary was a forged document.
Consequently in February 2021 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics reported an anti-doping rule violation for Tampering against the Athlete. After notification the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived her right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU.
Therefore the AIU decides on 1 March 2021 to impose a 3 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the provisional suspension, i.e. on 1 February 2021.
