ATHLETICS - The African Mirror

Dec

2023

Bela and Nzola included as Angola name squad for Cup of Nations finals

ANGOLA recalled strikers Jeremie Bela and Mbala Nzola to their squad for the African Cup of Nations finals as they became the first team to name their selection for next month’s tournament in the Ivory Coast. Coach Pedro Goncalves named 23 players, despite the Confederation of African Football saying last week that the 24 participating countries would be allowed 27-strong squads for the finals, which kick off on Jan. 13. Previously at Birmingham City, Bela last played for Angola two years ago. This is a surprise inclusion considering injuries have restricted his playing time this season for Ligue 1’s bottom…

Dec

2023

By The African Mirror

Kipyegon, Lyles among six crowned at expanded World Athletics Awards

ATHLETICS

SIX athletes - Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles, Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, Tigist Assefa, Kelvin Kiptum, and Yulimar Rojas - were all named World Athletes of the Year after the awards were expanded into three categories. The 2023 World Athletics Awards have been divided into track, field and out-of-stadia categories following feedback received during the voting process, the organisers said. "The depth of talent and the outstanding performances in our sport this year more than justify the expansion," said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. "Our World Athletes of the Year alone have achieved seven world records ... in 2023, as well as a…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Uganda’s Chemusto banned for four years for doping violation

ATHLETICS

UGANDAN middle-distance runner Janat Chemusto has been banned for four years after the 25-year-old tested positive for a prohibited substance, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said. The AIU said in a statement that Chemusto had returned an adverse analytical finding for the prohibited substance "19-Norandrosterone (a Metabolite of Nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) or Nandrolone precursors)". The sample was collected at Nairobi's Kip Keino Classic in May, where Chemusto clocked a personal best of 4:01.79 to win the women's 1,500 metres. The ban will be backdated to July 13 2023, and Chemusto's competition results from May 13 onwards will be disqualified. The AIU…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Jamaican Taylor banned for 30 months for doping rule violation

ATHLETICS

JAMAICAN sprinter Christopher Taylor has been banned for 30 months for an anti-doping rule violation, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said. Taylor, who helped Jamaica to silver in the 4x400 metres relay at the 2022 World Championships, failed to submit to a sample collection in an out-of-competition test roughly a year ago, AIU said. The suspension is applicable from a year ago and Taylor will be eligible again in May 2025. Reuters was not immediately able to contact Taylor for comment. An Instagram post added to his account on Thursday night read "The End of an ERA."

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Former steeplechase world champion Jeruto has provisional suspension lifted

ATHLETICS

FORMER steeplechase world champion Norah Jeruto has had her provisional suspension for an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) lifted with immediate effect after the charge was not proven, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Friday. A panel of the Disciplinary Tribunal ruled that the charges were dismissed and no period of ineligibility should be imposed on Jeruto, which means she is free to compete in the Paris Olympics next year. Jeruto, formerly a Kenyan who switched allegiance to Kazakhstan, won the 3,000 metres steeplechase gold at the 2022 world championships in Eugene where she also set a championship record, which…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Kenyan marathon runner Ekiru receives 10-year doping ban

ATHLETICS

KENYAN marathon runner Titus Ekiru has been banned for 10 years, by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), for both doping and tampering in a case that involved collusion with a high-ranking doctor in a Kenyan hospital. One of his positive tests, for triamcinolone acetonide, came at the Milan Marathon in May 2021, which he won in a time of two hours, two minutes and 57 seconds, which would currently rank him the seventh-fastest all-time marathon athlete. The ban comes after an investigation found the 31-year-old obstructed the AIU's probe into two adverse analytical findings (AAFs) by using false information and…

Oct

2023

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Africa’s magnificent distance runners are fuelled by tech, grit and strategy

ATHLETICS

AFRICA'S running reputation received another boost recently when 23-year-old Kevin Kiptum won the 45th edition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, setting a new world record for the regular marathon, of 02:00:35. Kiptium's time shaved 34 seconds off Eliud Kipchoge's record of 2:01:09 set in Berlin in 2022. This is despite Kiptum making his international marathon debut just last December, in Valencia, where he clocked an astonishing 2:01:53. While African running stars have for years dominated distance running, new and relatively younger stars are seemingly shattering records more easily, judging from their race splits and post-race assessments. In his…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Marathon under 2 hours is closer than ever – scientist shows how Kenya’s Kiptum tests human limits

ATHLETICS

WAR in the Middle East plunged humanity to new lows on Sunday 8 October 2023 that have gripped international attention since. If that were not the case, the world would likely be abuzz with the breathtaking exploits of a 23-year-old Kenyan who changed running history in Chicago on the same day. Kelvin Kiptum, running just his third marathon, finished the 42.195-kilometre race in 2h 00m 35s. This lowered the previous world record set by countryman Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin last year, by a whopping 34 seconds. This is the first time that the world record has been obliterated by more…

Sep

2023

By The African Mirror

China to host opening two events in 2024 Diamond League

ATHLETICS

The 2024 Diamond League will begin its 15-stop season with two meets in China, in Xiamen and Shanghai, in April while Brussels will stage the two-day season finale in September, organisers said. Last year's Diamond League was also scheduled to have 15 meets but the Shanghai stop was cancelled after COVID-19 restrictions caused delays in the renovation of the venue. Xiamen will host the opening event on April 20, a week before Shanghai returns to the calendar for the first time since 2019. Meetings in Doha and Rabat are scheduled for the following month before the U.S. stop, the Prefontaine…

Sep

2023

By BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Tigst Assefa redefines women’s marathon running in Berlin

ATHLETICS

ETHIOPIAN runner Tigst Assefa made history at the 2023 BMW Berlin-Marathon, on Sunday (September 24), breaking a previous record by over two minutes. Assefa, who crossed the finish line at the Brandenburg Gate in an incredible time of 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds, surprised even herself. "I didn't expect to run this fast, that is to say, to break 2:12, but it is the result of hard work," she stated in an after-race interview with the marathon press team. The previous record was held by Kenyan Brigid Koskei. Koskei broke the record set by Paula Radcliff in 2003,…