The distance runner becomes the latest Kenyan to be provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit

Sheila Chelangat, who won the 2024 Istanbul Half Marathon and placed second at this year's edition, has been suspended for the use of EPO.

The Kenyan got within seven seconds of her half-marathon personal best of 66:06 – set in Valencia in October – in the Turkish city last month. She also clocked 66:47 in her victory in Istanbul last year.

Chelangat is predominately a road runner but she did represent Kenya in the 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics, placing 16th with 31:48.23 in the Japanese capital.

The AIU has provisionally suspended Sheila Chelangat (Kenya) for Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (EPO)

Details here: https://t.co/Y8LF9j2o9f pic.twitter.com/v1HNBzBq0l

— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) May 22, 2025

A talented junior athlete, Chelangat secured a bronze medal over 3000m at the 2015 World U18 Championships and she finished sixth over the distance at the 2016 World U20 Championships.

The 27-year-old is the third Kenyan – the other two being Ronald Kimeli Kurgat and Kibiwott Kandie – to be suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for doping this year.

Chelangat could face a lengthy ban from the sport if she is ruled to have used EPO. A prohibited substance, synthetic erythropoietin is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency as it increases red blood cell production, thereby increasing oxygen to the muscles.

For context, Kenyan Emmaculate Anyango Achol was banned by the AIU for six years last November for use of both testosterone and EPO.