In August 2023 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on behalf of World Athletics, reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Kenyan Athlete Agness Jeruto Barsosio after an AIU Expert Panel concluded unanimously in April 2023 in their Joint Expert Opinion that the Athlete’s hematological profile “highly likely” showed that she used a prohibited substance or a prohibited method: the use of EPO or Blood doping.
This conclusion of the AIU Expert Panel was based on assessment of blood samples, collected in the period from 10 July 2013 until 30 November 2022 reported in the Athlete’s Biological Passport (ABP).
After notification the Athlete submitted an explanation with documentation for the abnormal values in his ABP. However after consideration the Expert Panel rejected the Athlete’s explanations in their 2nd Joint Expert Opinion in July 2023.
Thereupon the Athlete gave a prompt admission, waived her right for a hearing, accepted a provisional suspension and the sanction proposed by the AIU.
The AIU deems that the anomalies in the Athlete's ABP were caused by a prohibited substance or a prohibited method and that she failed to demonstrate that the violation was not intentional.
The AIU determines that there are aggravating circumstances present in this case and that she had breached the provisional suspension because of her participation into a marathon in August 2023. Further the AIU considers that the Athlete gave an early admission and acceptance of sanction.
Therefore the AIU decides on 11 February 2022 to impose a 5 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete, starting on the date of the decision.
