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Kenyan marathoner sanctioned for doping after testing positive for banned substances, resulting in disqualification of results and competitive suspension.
Purity Changwony is the latest Kenyan to be sanctioned by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for violating anti-doping rules, following the discovery of banned substances in her system during the 2022 Volkswagen Prague Marathon.
The AIU has confirmed a two-year and three-month ban for the 34-year-old marathoner, effective from July 28, 2022.
The disciplinary action stems from an in-competition test conducted on May 8, 2022, during the Prague Marathon, where her urine sample tested positive for 19-Norandrosterone—an anabolic steroid—and Triamcinolone Acetonide, a corticosteroid prohibited in competition.
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The AIU confirmed that Changwony did not possess a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for either substance.
“The AIU has banned Purity Changwony (Kenya) for 2 years and 3 months from 28 July 2022 for Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (19-Norandrosterone, Triamcinolone acetonide). DQ results from 8 May 2022,” the AIU statement reads.
Admission and Cooperation Mitigate Ban
Although the initial punishment could have spanned four years, Changwony benefited from two significant reductions in her period of ineligibility.
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Firstly, she earned a one-year reduction under Rule 10.8.1 for her early admission and acceptance of the AIU’s sanction.
Furthermore, an additional nine-month reduction was granted after she cooperated with Kenyan authorities including the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
On April 23, 2025, Changwony signed an official Admission of Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Acceptance of Consequences form. According to the AIU, she has "provided Substantial Assistance… to eliminate doping in sport."
This is Changwony’s first anti-doping rule violation. Consequently, all her competitive results since May 8, 2022, have been disqualified, along with any medals, prizes, and earnings.
Stringent Rules and Consequences
Under World Athletics’ anti-doping regulations, 19-Norandrosterone is classified as a non-specified substance and is banned at all times, while Triamcinolone Acetonide is a specified substance prohibited in competition.
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The presence or use of either without a valid TUE constitutes a direct anti-doping rule violation under Rules 2.1 and 2.2 of the Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (ADR).
Despite the lack of evidence suggesting any procedural errors in the sample collection or testing process, Changwony was provisionally suspended on July 28, 2022.
She responded swiftly, indicating her willingness to cooperate under a case resolution framework and later engaged with authorities for over a year.
While Changwony’s ban is set to expire on October 27, 2024, the decision may still be appealed.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and ADAK have 15 days to contest the AIU's ruling before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The AIU has emphasized the finality of the decision under Rule 8.5.6 of the ADR, unless an appeal is lodged. If appealed, Changwony retains the right to file a cross-appeal.
Her sanction adds to the growing list of Kenyan athletes facing doping bans, sparking further scrutiny over the country's athletics oversight and the integrity of its sports figures.
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