RHONEX
The Story
Rhonex Kipruto
Kenyan Distance Running Prodigy and World Record Holder
Rhonex (24) is an extremely unique talent. He is a long distance runner, 10,000m World U20 champion (2018), 10,000m World Championships bronze medallist (2019) and current World record holder over 10 km (Valencia 2020). In 2017, he won both 10,000m and cross country High Schools Championships titles in Kenya – historically, a major achievement and a clear indicator of an enormous talent.
Coached by Brother Colm O'Connell
Rhonex’s coach is Colm O'Connell, holder of the World Athletics Coaching Achievement Award in 2019. Brother Colm has not had a single doping case in his nearly 50-year career. He is nicknamed "the Godfather of Kenyan running". He is a non-scientific and old-fashioned coach with superb results.
IMPORTANT FACTS AND FIGURES
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has informed Rhonex of alleged inconsistencies, which date back to autumn 2018, in blood values recorded in his Athlete Biological Passport (ABP).
Rhonex's biological passport (ABP) was flagged for:
The AIU panel of experts evaluated the ABP records for the period July 2018 - March 2022.
All out-of-competition (OOC) and in-competition (IC) tests, more than 50, were negative. All (but one OOC test) were unannounced. Rhonex was tested in-and-out of his specified 1-hour testing slots – morning, mid-day and evening.
In total, there were 32 ABP blood tests (2 IC and 30 OOC) – from those 32, on 20 occasions urine samples were collected as well.
Additional 17 IC urine tests were done, plus 3 more urine-only OOC tests.
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA), EPO, ferritin, among other substances, were frequently tested for. There were no positive results for any of the banned substances.
4 tests, i.e. 12.5 per cent (!), were eliminated from the ABP due to technical deficiencies in taking or storing the samples.
Rhonex’s whereabouts are very regular and predictable. Locations in Iten - the camp (St. Patrick’s), and a private home, 5-10 minutes drive from the camp. His rural home is reachable within 90 minutes from the camp. He is super-predictable. No hidden, remote or inaccessible training camps or last minute whereabouts changes. Only one missed test in 3.5 years – mid-2019, when he travelled to the rural home in a rush due to a sudden family matter. No ABP flags in 2019 and early 2020, which was by far his most successful athletic period to date.
After lengthy, costly and often very frustrating process, the matter was heard on 22 April 2024 – Disciplinary Tribunal (managed by an independent dispute resolution service – Sport Resolutions, 1 Paternoster Lane, St Paul's, London,EC4M 7BQ) with Dr Tanja Haug (Chair), Mr Roland Adjovi and Mr Julien Berenger on the Panel.
On 28 May 2024 the Panel ruled the following:
- The Disciplinary Tribunal has jurisdiction to decide on the subject matter of this dispute.
- The Athlete has committed an ADRV pursuant to Rule 2.2 ADR in force between September 2018 and March 2022 (2018, 2019, and 2021 ADR).
- A period of Ineligibility of six (6) years is imposed upon the Athlete for the ADRV, commencing on the date of the Disciplinary Tribunal's Award.
- The period of Provisional Suspension imposed on the Athlete from 11 May 2023 until the date of this decision shall be credited against the total period of Ineligibility.
- All competitive results obtained by the Athlete from 2 September 2018 to 11 May 2023 shall be Disqualified with all resulting Consequences, including forfeiture of any titles, prizes, medals, points and prize and appearance money, pursuant to Rule 10.10 ADR.
- Each party shall bear its own legal costs and expenses incurred in connection with these proceedings.
- All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.
I hope that in time my medical diagnosis will be clear both for myself and for this case. I don't cheat or dope! The truth is on my side. This is all I can say.
Rhonex Kipruto
22 April 2024
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