A Kenyan female athlete has tested positive for using the banned blood-boosting performance enhancing drug EPO (erythropoietin), the Nation established yesterday. 

Blood sample from Pamela Chepchumba, winner of the 2001 Belgian Heusden International meet at 5,000 metres, showed traces of EPO, a form of drug injected directly into the blood stream which increases red blood cells thereby improving an athlete's stamina and performance in competition.

Chepchumba tested positive during the world cross country championships in Lausanne, Switzerland on March 29, Athletics Kenya confirmed yesterday.

She finished sixth overall behind the best placed local Magdalene Chemjor. Kenya finished second behind Ethiopia in the team title event.

Athletics Kenya secretary David Okeyo said in an exclusive interview that the association suspended her from international competition as per the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) rules.

"Chepchumba has denied taking any form of performance enhancing substance and has requested for a B sample (second test). 

"Another test will be conducted on June 6 at the IAAF headquarters in Monaco in presence of her doctor and manager," Okeyo said.

He added that Chepchumba's case is disturbing because Kenyans have been known to win clean. Okeyo said it was still premature to condemn Chepchumba until the outcome of the B sample. She is at the moment heart broken and very stressed, he said.

Okeyo added that her manager, Federico Rosa, who has managed hundreds of Kenyans in the past including greats like Paul Tergat, Moses Kiptanui and Charles Kamathi, was equally surprised and has requested for a B sample. Efforts to reach Rosa in Italy were not successful.

"We have to wait and see the outcome but at the moment we must protect Chepchumba," said Okeyo. "We could not disclose the information without having a conclusive answer. Let's just wait."

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