NAIROBI, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Singapore Marathon silver medalist Felix Kirwa is the latest Kenyan athlete to be banned for failing an anti-doping test.
Kirwa's urine sample test came back positive with the presence of prohibited substance strychnine, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
The test was done in an in-competition doping control in Singapore at the conclusion of his participation in the Singapore Marathon. He has an option to appeal the ban.
"The Athletics Integrity Unit has issued a decision against Kenyan long-distance runner Felix Kirwa for a violation of the anti-doping rules," said AIU in a statement on Wednesday.
"The WADA accredited laboratory in New Delhi reported an Adverse Analytical Finding for the presence of strychnine in the sample." In his defense, Kirwa said he took medicine to treat arthritis.
"The athlete admitted the anti-doping rule violations and provided the AIU with a copy of a medical file documenting his use of herbal medicine products to treat arthritis prior to the event. The products contained Strychnos nuxvomica, which contains Strychnine. Strychnine itself is not listed on either product," said AIU.
The 23-year-old, who was sixth at the Chongqing Marathon in China back in 2015, will have to serve a nine months' ineligibility from competing in any athletics event starting from Feb. 14.
Kirwa launched his marathon career in China in 2015 when he clocked 2:14:42 to finish sixth at the Chongqing Marathon. He later went to Brussels and claimed the silver medal clocking an impressive 2:15:17.
In 2016, Kirwa won his first marathon in Antwerp (2:15:57) and later excelled in Singapore to claim gold in 2:17:17.
A year later, he pitched camp in the Netherlands where he competed at the Rotterdam posting his personal best time of 2:06:13 while last year, he only raced in Singapore where he finished second in 2:13:43.
But that glittering career will be put on ice as he serves his nine-month ban. He had hopes to make the World Championship marathon team and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
"The athlete has admitted the anti-doping rule violations with which he was charged and has accepted the consequences proposed," said AIU.
Three other Kenya runners--former world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, Hilary Kepkosgei Yego and Samson Mungai Kagia have tested positive to banned substance in 2019.
