Titus Ekiru provisionally suspended by AIU

Ekiru is not a surprise to anyone. It was just a matter of time.WADA should focus more in the training camps in and around Kapsabet. More intelligence led testing should continue its bearing fruits.

There is not too much to laugt. Ekiru didn't use EPO, that is the subject of all my statements (EPO doesn't work for top athletes with proper training in altitude), but other drugs that of course can give some advantage. The first of them is TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE that is in the category 59 (Glucocorticoids).

The following is the explanation from AIU :

This substance was not prohibited in competition before 2022 when administrated by local injection.

Glucocorticoids are commonly used as therapeutic substances in sports, but are prohibited in competition because, when administered via prohibited routes, there is clear evidence of systemic effects which could potentially enhance performances and be harmful to health.

The use of glucocorticoids by an athlete during IN competition period requires a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) or (for cases artsing prior to 2022) proof that the administration is not via prohibited route.

If an athlete returns an AAF to a glucocortisoid and cannot produce a TUE, or prove a non-prohibited route of administration, they will have committed an Anti-Doping rule violation.

The second substance is PETHIDINE, prohibited under the category 57 (Narcotics).

The substances of this class are used in clinical practice to manage severe pain ; however, their abuse is associated with risks of physical dependence and addiction, and they are classified as controlled substances in mostcountries and prohibited in-competition in sport.

Now, among the athletes who used doping and were positive, there are no more than 1 every 30 caught for EPO. If we want to analyze the last border of doping effective for producing improvenments, we have to look in another direction (step by step considering my statements in different way).

Mr Canova, many Kenyans have been busted for EPO. Big fish and small fish. Why are they taking such a risk? What role do managers, agents and coaches play in the drug problem in Kenya?

Small article here Mr Canova. I'm sure there's others with a serach. I hope this helps refresh your memory.

Sorry, search.

Why harass him Coevett?

have to dig deep to respond, which may or may not support.

many cudos for sharing your expert opinion.

Agreed. This is ridiculous. Who is left? Faith Kipyegon and that marathon runner guy?

Again all these new drugs are to recover faster so they can do higher workloads.

They are all powerful anti-inflammatories meant for a hospital from severe illness or injury etc,.

Dexamethasone is an example of a far better known cortico-steroid (and most definitely banned).

It's action is so powerful that it can make people who are dying in a hospital have a week or two where they become almost fully functional, up and about. Doctors often prescribe it as a last resort as mercy because it's obviously not curing anything but gives some peace from the pain, etc. But what always happens is friends and families think the patient is somehow getting better before everything gives out later.

If you watch Ryan Hall in that 41st Day documentary (sorry) when he goes to that clinic in Kenya because he is having pains he is prescribed "Prednisolone Ten milligram. Three times a day for five days."

Powerful cortico-steroid just like Dex or Triamcinolone, all banned in competition and using it just weeks before would also be a violation of the spirit of the ban (but something someone like AlSal would definitely cross the line, if not with his athletes, for his own races in the past which is something I strongly suspect)

It's funny that all these Kenyans with supposedly natural ideal body types built for running are actually taking this cutting edge weight loss ped to achieve it.

TUEs for triamcinolone was the "secret" for Team Sky's success. It's an incredibly powerful drug. WADA closed some loops in the way it can be used for this year and it looks like some dopers didn't get the memo.

Yes - drugs of course can give some advantage, but rekrunner always argues they only help women.

It's not true that no Kenyans broke 2:10 before EPO. However, it's surprisingly close to being true. You would have thought that there were lots and lots of Kenyans breaking 2:10 in the 1980s. But in fact there was only one Kenyan sub-2:10 prior to 1988, Joseph Nzau at 2:09:45 in 1983. Virtually all of the sub-2:10 guys in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s came from Japan, Great Britain, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Mexico, Djibouti, and a few other European countries. There were three or four other Kenyans who broke 2:10 in 1988-89, which I'll count as prior to the EPO era in running because it's not clear that anyone was using until 1991. This was the fastest Kenyan marathon prior to 1990:

2157 2:08:43a Ibrahim Hussein KEN 03.06.58 1 Boston 18.04.1988

Add Douglas Waakihuru at 2:09:03, and a couple others between 2:09:30 and 2:09:45, I think, including Richard Kaitany, all in 1988-89.