The Rio 2016 gold medalist initially received a four-year doping ban.

Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong’s doping ban has been doubled to eight years, announced the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Friday (January 25).

Having received a four-year sanction for doping offences in 2017, Sumgong had her ban increased after being found guilty by the IAAF of providing false information during the defence of her initial ban.

Sumgong, who became the first Kenyan woman to win Olympic marathon gold at the Rio 2016 Games, was banned for four years in 2017 by Kenya’s anti-doping agency (ADAK) after testing positive for the erythropoietin (EPO).

Sumgong claimed she was injected with the banned blood-booster by an “impostor” at a Kenyan hospital after seeking treatment for an ectopic pregnancy. She said an unidentified doctor gave her a blood transfusion and other unknown medication.

The claim was rejected as “not authentic” by the AIU, who ruled that there was “compelling evidence” Sumgong had falsified her medical records and lied about her whereabouts.

The tribunal decided that the 34 year-old, who is now banned until 2025, had committed a second offence and as such could be handed a second four-year ban.

Brett Clothier, Head of AIU, said: “We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal. We hope that it sends a message to dopers that the AIU has strong investigative capabilities and does not tolerate false evidence in doping cases.

“We also want to underline the vital support of ADAK in pursuing this case. They are a valuable partner in the fight against doping in Kenya.”

Sumgong, who also won the London Marathon in 2016, can make an appeal against the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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