Another Kenyan marathon runner, Rodgers Ondaji Gesabwa, has been slapped with a three-month ban after testing positive for a cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine, at the Lima Marathon in Peru.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) handed down the ban on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, marking another blow to Kenya’s athletics reputation, already grappling with a string of doping scandals.
Gesabwa, a 36-year-old athlete affiliated with the Federación Mexicana de Asociaciones de Atletismo (FMAA), attributed the positive test to consuming coca tea during his stay in Lima. Coca tea, a popular beverage in several South American countries, is brewed using leaves from the coca plant, which contains trace amounts of cocaine.
The AIU, tasked with safeguarding the integrity of athletics worldwide, confirmed that Gesabwa’s urine sample, collected on May 19, 2024, revealed the presence of benzoylecgonine. While cocaine itself is prohibited in competition, benzoylecgonine is a metabolite that can linger in the body for a more extended period, triggering a positive test.
In his defense, Gesabwa maintained that he unknowingly consumed coca tea during breakfast at his hotel in Lima. He asserted that he primarily consumed meals and beverages provided in a designated athletes’ room but had breakfast in a separate area accessible to all hotel guests.
To verify Gesabwa’s claims, the AIU conducted a thorough investigation. They reviewed publicly available information and contacted the hotel to confirm the availability of coca tea during Gesabwa’s stay. Additionally, the AIU sought an independent scientific expert opinion to ascertain if the detected levels of benzoylecgonine aligned with the athlete’s account of coca tea consumption.
The AIU’s investigation confirmed that coca-containing products were indeed available at the hotel during Gesabwa’s stay, and the expert opinion corroborated the plausibility of his explanation. However, despite acknowledging the likelihood of unintentional consumption, the AIU emphasised that athletes are ultimately responsible for any substance found in their system.
Consequently, Gesabwa was found in violation of Rule 2.1 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, which pertains to the presence of prohibited substances in an athlete’s sample. He accepted a three-month ban, commencing on July 10, 2024, the date his provisional suspension took effect.
The incident serves as a stark reminder for athletes, particularly those competing internationally, to exercise extreme caution with their food and beverage choices. Unfamiliar local customs and ingredients can inadvertently lead to anti-doping rule violations, even without any intent to enhance performance.
The new positive cases will be added to the 270 already excluded from all competition between 2015 and the end of 2023. According to the AIU, 82 Kenyan athletes are currently banned.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE