Kenyan marathoner Roncer Kipkorir Konga receives three-year ban after testing positive for testosterone

Kenyan marathoner Roncer Kipkorir Konga has been banned for three years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) following a positive test for the prohibited substance testosterone. The ban is effective from June 16, 2025, and nullifies all his results from December 29, 2024, including forfeiture of titles, awards, medals, points, prizes, and appearance fees.

The AIU reported that Konga’s out-of-competition urine sample, collected in Iten, Kenya, on December 29, 2024, was initially negative. However, a subsequent analysis requested by the AIU detected testosterone and its metabolites, consistent with an exogenous origin.

Konga maintained that he had not knowingly taken testosterone, suggesting that a traditional herbal medicine prepared by his mother or a supplement called TestoXT Booster might be responsible.

“I would want to exploit my talent because I believe in myself and my training. I want to declare that I just used those two before Christmas, and I didn’t use any injections,” he said.

After reviewing his explanations and consulting the Athlete Passport Management Unit, the AIU concluded that neither the herbal medicine nor the supplement likely caused the positive result.

This marks Konga’s first anti-doping violation. While the standard ineligibility period is four years, his early admission and acceptance of the sanction reduced it to three years. The disqualification of results emphasizes the importance of clean sport and compliance with anti-doping regulations.

Konga has waived his right to a disciplinary tribunal hearing, although he, WADA, and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The AIU, established by World Athletics, manages anti-doping testing, investigations, hearings, sanctions, and appeals to protect the integrity of athletics worldwide.