Norah Jeruto, a former steeplechase world champion, is facing a doping case hearing in June, just five weeks before the Paris Olympics kick off. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has announced that they will hear an appeal by World Athletics on June 17 to challenge a ruling that cleared Jeruto of suspected blood doping in 2022.
Jeruto, who represented Kazakhstan, had won gold in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 2022 world championships in Eugene, Oregon. However, she was suspended during an investigation and could not defend her title last year. The Athletics Integrity Unit implicated Jeruto in banned blood transfusions and taking the endurance-boosting hormone EPO.
Despite not testing positive for any banned substances, Jeruto’s blood test results in 2020 and 2021 were found to be irregular. She claimed that ulcers and a bout of COVID-19 could explain these abnormalities. An independent tribunal evaluating the case determined that there was sufficient doubt in her defense to clear her of the doping allegations.
Experts testified that Jeruto’s ulcers could have caused internal bleeding, accounting for the irregular blood test results. There was no evidence to support the claim that she had received any transfusions. Jeruto, who previously competed for Kenya, went on to become the African champion and win on the Diamond League circuit in 2021.
With the Paris Olympics scheduled to take place from August 6-8, there is a possibility of an urgent CAS verdict before the women’s steeplechase event. Jeruto’s eligibility to compete in the Games will likely be determined by the outcome of the hearing in June.
The hearing will focus on whether there is enough evidence to overturn Jeruto’s clearance from doping charges last year and whether she should be disqualified from participating in future events.
The decision made by CAS will have significant implications for both Jeruto’s career and also for Kazakhstan as it could affect their chances of competing at international level events.
As we wait for the decision from CAS we can only hope that justice will be served and those guilty of doping are held accountable for their actions while those innocent are cleared without any doubts or suspicions hanging over them.
