Another Kenya top star to be banned by AIU on tampering charges  

Kenya's Betty Wilson Lempus is the latest Kenyan to be banned for tampering by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the charge being added to her sanction for testing positive for the banned substance, triamcinolone acetonide.

Lempus' period of ineligibility started on October 14 last year based on a test from September 5 in 2021, with results since then being disqualified.
It is a significant blow to the 31-year-old's career,t she will not be able to return until October 2027, when she is 36 years old.

She joined the growing list of disgraced Kenyan athletes.

They include Olympic marathon champion Jemima Sumgong, Olympic bronze medallist and former men's marathon world record holder Wilson Kipsang; half marathon runner Tabitha Gichia Wambui and Boston Marathon winner Diana Kipyokei.

All have been given sanctions for tampering.
In October, when she was provisionally suspended, Lempus was first charged by the AIU with tampering or attempted tampering with doping control. 

This included constructing or delaying the AIU’s investigation through the provision of false information or documentation.
Last month, a charge related to triamcinolone acetonide, which can be used for treating inflammation and is considered to be a corticosteroid. 

The AIU's investigation was done in collaboration with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya which uncovered the athlete produced falsified medical documents to explain an adverse analytical finding for the presence of the drug in her September 5 in 2021 sample taken at the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris, a race she won.
The French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) initially cleared her of any wrongdoing after receiving four medical documents which supported her receiving an injection of triamcinolone acetonide on August 20 of that year.

The ADAK's probe found that the hospital where she had alleged to have had injections had refuted this stating although she attended the hospital, Lempus never received "an intramuscular injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide at the hospital on this date". 

A false address and phone werebear were provided on Lempus' documents, as well as a doctor not employed at the hospital.
When confronted by the AIU about the allegation, Lempus admitted to tampering.

The AFLD revoked its decision in November, allowing the AIU to handle both allegations together.

Lempus wafers s banned for two years for the use of triamcinolone acetonide and four years for amping but received a one-year reduction for early admission.

"We are pleased to conclude this case, especially because this athlete almost got away with her attempt to dupe the authors and to cheat other runners out of their rightful rewards," said AIU head Brett CBefore 

Prior to the banned period, Lempus was fifth at the 2021 Prague Marathon, as well as first at the 2019 Cracovia Half Marathon, and second at the City Half Marathon in Napoli the same year.