Kenyan runner Kangogo banned for two years for doping

Kenyan runner Philip Kangogo on Thursday was banned for two years for doping.

ANA Sports Reporter

JOHANNESBURG, September 3 (ANA) – Kenyan long distance runner Philip Kangogo was banned for doping for two-years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Thursday.

Kangogo failed a doping test last year.

The 36-year-old tested positive for the banned substance higenamine after he competed in the PZU Cracovia Marathon on April 28, 2019 in Poland, after finishing third in a time of 2:13:46.

He has not competed since the test, and therefore will be eligible to compete again after July 31, 2021.

This follows Kenyan middle distance runner Elijah Manangoi’s provisional suspension, in July, by the AIU for missing three doping tests.

Athletes are required to be available for scheduled, and random, drug testing – and if they fail to do so are liable for action to be taken by the AIU.

“What I can say is each of the missed tests happened during 2019, my case has nothing to do with prohibited substances and I have always competed as a clean athlete,” Manangoi was quoted as saying on Kenyan publication Daily Nation.

“I know I have let people down in particular my coach and fellow athletes. I also know that no matter what I say here I will be criticised.”

Manangoi is a former world champion in the men’s 1500m at the 2015 World Championships and 2018 Continental Cup.

Manangoi has maintained his innocence, insisting he did not intentionally miss the tests. – African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman