2024 StanChart Singapore Marathon winner Geoffrey Yegon banned for doping
Kenya's Geoffrey Yegon winning the men's elite marathon title at the 2024 Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon on Dec 1. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
SINGAPORE – The winner of the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) 2024 men's elite race, Geoffrey Yegon, has been banned from the sport for two years after the Kenyan was found to have tested positive for a banned substance.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, an SCSM spokesperson said that it had been informed by world governing body World Athletics that Yegon 'was found to have a banned substance in his system following a post-race test at last December's event and was subsequently banned for two years'.
This also means that the 36-year-old runner will not collect the US$45,000 (S$58,400) cash prize.
Noting that all athletes in the elite men's category will be moved up one position, the spokesperson said that 'as per event protocols prize money is not distributed until World Athletics finalises all anti-doping results'.
According to media reports, Yegon's urine sample from the Dec 1 race tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide, a synthetic steroid which is commonly used for skin conditions.
The World Anti-Doping Agency named the substance in its prohibited list in 2014 as it helps athletes lose weight without suffering a significant loss in power.
The reports also added that Yegon admitted fault and was therefore given a ban of two years, instead of a four-year ban for the offence.
On Dec 1, Yegon emerged triumphant in a close finish in the men's elite race, breasting the tape in 2hr 16min 6sec to finish ahead of Uganda's Abel Sikowo (2:16:12) and fellow Kenyan Laban Korir (2:16:24). A check on the official results page now shows Sikowo as the winner.
Yegon's personal best in a marathon is 2:12:39, and his best half-marathon time is 59:44.
The SCSM spokesperson added: 'The team was disappointed to learn of this situation and are strong supporters of World Athletics' stance on doping and will continue to support all moves to promote a clean sport.
'SCSM is sanctioned by Singapore Athletics and engages technical officials to officiate the race, as well as engaging Anti-Doping Singapore to conduct necessary testing in coordination with World Athletics and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).'
The SCSM – from Nov 29 to Dec 1, 2024 – attracted over 55,000 runners, including close to 13,000 international participants from 84 countries.
Among them were Yegon and Ethiopian Fantu Zewude, who won the men's and women's elite marathon respectively. The national marathon title went to Soh Rui Yong in 2:46:05, his fifth victory at the annual event.
This is not the first time that an SCSM race finisher has failed a doping test.
Marathoner Lim Baoying, who finished as the top local female runner in 2018, was banned three years and nine months by the AIU after testing positive for a banned substance.
According to an AIU statement, she had ingested 'a quarter of one tablet of modafinil 200mg' before the event 'in order that she could stay awake after the race'.
She did not have therapeutic usage exemption for the medicine, which is prescribed to people with sleep disorders to help them stay alert or improve focus.
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