Kenya’s Fast-Rising Sprinter Samwel Imeta Suspended for Doping Violations

Kenya’s Fast-Rising Sprinter Samwel Imeta Suspended for Doping Violations

Martin Moses
updated at June 5, 2023 at 1:14 PM
  • Samwel Imeta has been put on provisional suspension after flouting doping rules
  • The offence is said to have happened in February during an Athletics Kenya meet
  • Imeta's potential participation at the World Athletics Championships is now in vain

Samwel Imeta's fast-rising sprint career has taken a huge hit after he was provisionally suspended for doping violations.

Imeta was among the 20 athletes suspended by the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) as the country steps up efforts to get rid of the vice in the country.

Samwel Imeta, Ferdinand Omanyala
Samwel Imeta competes at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Photo by David Ramos.
Source: Getty Images

The 24-year-old tested positive for Anabolic Androgenic Steroids during the Athletics Kenya meet at the Nyayo National Stadium on February 24, as reported by Nation Sports.

Imeta's 2023 season

Imeta finished second with a time of 9.94 seconds behind African record holder, Ferdinand Omanyala, who finished in a blistering 9.81 seconds. The times were, however, never confirmed by the World Athletics due to a fault in the time measuring equipment at the stadium.

He then headed over to South Africa with Omanyala, where they participated in the ASA Grands Prix and the Continental Tour Gold in Gaborone, Botswana.

Imeta was fourth in the first Grand Prix with 10.39 seconds before using 10.22 in the second race.

In Botswana, he won the first final with a time of 10.10 seconds. Omanyala won the other final with a disputed time of 9.78 seconds.

Imeta, who forms part of Kenya's 4 x 100m relay team, teamed up with the fastest African, plus Boniface Mweresa and Stephen Ochieng, to register a time of 38.26 seconds and put them in good standing ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, but this now remains in jeopardy.

Others who were suspended include Africa's 800-metres Champion, Jarinter Mawia and 2021 world under-21 silver medalist, Zena Jemutai.

Kerley edges Omanyala again

Sports Brief had earlier reported that Ferdinand Omanyala came in second as World Champion, Fred Kerley beat him again at the Florence Diamond League on June 2.

It was an improved performance from Africa's fastest man, who finished third on Sunday. Kerley clocked 9.94 seconds, with Omanyala finishing in 10.05 seconds.

It was the second time this week there was an almost similar lineup at an athletics event, after Kerley won the Rabat Diamond League ahead of the speedy African.

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Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)
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Ferdinand OmanyalaKenya