Reuters Exclusive: Olympic champion Jemima Sumgong tests positive in out of competition test

Jemima Sumgong, photo by PhotoRun.net

It is the kind of story that makes you sad, a bit sick to your stomach and stunned. Jemima Sumgong has tested positive in her A sample for EPO, in an out of competition drug test by the IAAF (and supported by World Marathon Majors), per an exclusive story by Reuters, published on Thursday, April 6, 2017. The story can be read here: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-sport-doping-sumgong-idUSKBN1782Y7.

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Jemima Sumgong was training to defend her title at the 2016 London Marathon, at the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon on 23 April 2017. Ms. Sumgong is now suspended, and will not be able to race, until after her B sample is tested.

The response has been swift and covers all feelings of emotion. We will follow up with comments from the World Marathon Majors, London Marathon, and others.

Truth is, as we noted yesterday, if out of competition testing is credible, it will catch drug cheats. When testing catches an athlete at the top of the discipline, it should show the sport that no one is immune.