The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has disqualified Diana Kipyokei as the 2021 Boston Marathon women’s winner. 

In a statement, AIU says Kipyokei violated World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules after her urine sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the presence of a metabolite of Triamcinolone Acetonide, an anti-inflammatory.

"Her results have been disqualified, including October 11, 2021 - the date on which she provided a urine sample, following her victory in the Boston Marathon," the statement reads. 

She has also been prohibited from participating in athletics for six years.

AIU further said Kipyokei’s six-year period of ineligibility started on June 27, 2022,  the date on which she was provisionally suspended. 

The integrity unit also stated that Kipyokei provided false information in trying to explain her AAF, including fake documentation that she alleged came from a hospital. 

The presence of Furosemide (a diuretic) was also found in another athlete Purity Rionoripo’s urine sample which she gave on May 30, 2022. 

Rionoripo has been prohibited from participating in athletics for five years. 

In her explanation, she claimed to have been prescribed medication by a doctor at a hospital to treat an ankle injury. 

"Investigations revealed that, though Rionoripo was treated at the hospital, she had altered her prescription form to include Lasix (the commercial name for Furosemide)," AIU said. 

Her five-year period of ineligibility began on November 21, 2022. 

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