The upcoming doping case hearing in June will determine the fate of former steeplechase world champion Norah Jeruto. Jeruto, originally from Kenya, won gold at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. However, she was unable to defend her title in 2021 as she was suspended during an investigation into blood doping allegations.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear an appeal from World Athletics on June 17 against a ruling made last year that cleared Jeruto of suspected blood doping. Despite not testing positive for any banned substances, Jeruto argued that ulcers and COVID-19 could explain her irregular blood test results from 2020 and 2021.
An independent tribunal examining the case found that Jeruto’s COVID-19 infection in late 2020 raised doubts and made it unfair to convict her. Additionally, it was noted that her ulcers could have explained certain blood-related findings, and there was no evidence of her receiving transfusions.
Jeruto missed competing in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 while her change of allegiance to Kazakhstan was being processed. If found guilty, the outcome of her upcoming doping case hearing will likely be determined prior to the women’s steeplechase event at the Paris Olympics, scheduled for August 6-8 at Stade de France.
