In September 2022 the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Athlete Georgina Jepkirui Rono for evadion sample collection.
Following notification a provisional suspension was ordered. However the Athlete failed to respond, nor attended the hearing of the Kenya Sports Disputes Tribunal.
During the proceedings ADAK made repeated unsuccesful attempts to contact the Athlete. As a result ADAK deemed that the Athlete intentionally avoided contact and refused to respond.
The Athlete was tested before in-competition in October 2019 without issues. However ADAK's attempt for out-of-competiton sample collection at the Athlete's residence in September 2021 was unsuccesful.
The Doping Control Officers (DCOs) testified that in May 2022 they made a new attempt for out-of-competition sample collection at the Athlete's residence. This time they found the Athlete present, they indentified themselves and notified her about the sample collection.
Thereupon the Athlete immediately walked away and went into the farm. She didn't return to the DCOs, neither did she respond to the telephone calls.
ADAK contended that following the notification by the DCOs the Athlete intentionally had evaded doping control and refused or failed to submit to sample collection.
The Panel assessed the evidence in this case and established that at her residence the Athlete was properly identified by the DCOs and duly notified about the out-of competition sample collection. The Panel concludes that the Athlete intentionally had evaded sample collection.
Accordingly the Panel finds that the Athlete had committed an anti-doping rule violation. Considering the Athlete's conduct in this case the Panel deems that there are no grounds to start the sanction on the date of the provisional suspension.
Therefore the Kenya Sports Disputes Tribunal decides on 26 January 2023 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of this decision.
