Jonah Koech receives three-year ban for blood doping

American middle-distance runner Jonah Koech has accepted a three-year ban for blood doping, according to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The 29-year-old, who was born in Kenya, will be ineligible to compete until July 17, 2029, effectively ending his bid for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The sanction follows an Adverse Passport Finding in Koech’s Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). USADA reported that blood samples collected on July 30 and August 8, 2025, showed highly atypical values consistent with blood manipulation, such as the use of erythropoietin receptor agonists (ERAs) or blood transfusions. Koech received a reduced sentence from a potential four-year ban after admitting to the violation.

As a result of the disqualification, Koech has been stripped of his 2025 US Outdoor Championships 1,500-meter title and his 13th-place finish at the 2025 World Championships. He must also forfeit all medals, points, and prize money earned since July 30, 2025. USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart stated that the case demonstrates the ability of the ABP to “both deter and detect doping” to ensure a fair playing field.