Sarah Chepchirchir has been banned for eight years after being found to have violated anti-doping standards for the second time.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) reported that Chepchirchir had returned an unfavorable analytical finding for testosterone. The sample was taken during the Bangsaen42 Chonburi Marathon in Thailand in November.

PHOTO | COURTESY Sarah Chepchirchir

The 39-year-old was banned for four years in 2019, retroactive to April 11, 2018, due to irregularities in her athlete blood passport.

The latest ban will be adequate to December 22, 2023, and Chepchirchir's competition results from November 5 onwards will be annulled.

Chepchirchir, who won the Tokyo Marathon in 2017, could reduce her term by a year by formally admitting to the allegation. Still, she did not do so by the deadline of February 11.

Last year, the AIU and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya reported that a "medically-savvy operation" was assisting Kenyan athletes in concealing doping violations.

PHOTO | COURTESY Sarah Chepchirchir

Titus Ekiru, Betty Wilson Lempus, and Diana Kipyokei are among the Kenyan athletes who have faced bans or interim restrictions in recent years.

The AIU also suspended Indian hammer thrower Rachna Kumari, who competed in last year's Asian Games for 12 years.

Kumari had already served a doping ban from 2015 to 2019.