Kenyan-born American runner Jonah Koech has been banned for three years after the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) found highly atypical blood values in his Athlete Biological Passport, which were linked to blood doping.
Blood doping refers to the use of prohibited methods or substances to increase the amount of oxygen carried in the blood and improve sporting performance.
According to the agency, Koech, 29, had abnormal blood samples collected before and after the US Outdoor Championships in July and August 2025.
USADA said the doping violation was identified after the blood values in Koech’s Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) were found to be highly unusual.
The ABP tracks an athlete’s blood values over time to identify possible signs of doping, including cases where an athlete has not returned a positive drug test.
Koech accepted the three-year ban
“for the use of a prohibited substance and/or method”, according to USADA.
“This case is proof that the Athlete Biological Passport can both deter and detect doping,” US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive officer Travis T. Tygart said.
“To ensure a fair playing field, every anti-doping organisation needs this tool and the resources to use it effectively.”
Koech had won the men’s 1,500m at the US Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, last year, beating Ethan Strand and 2024 Olympic gold medallist Cole Hocker.
He won the race in a meet record and personal best time of three minutes 30.17 seconds, securing qualification for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.The title has, however, been stripped following his doping violation.
“Koech has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to July 30, 2025, the date of his first abnormal blood sample, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes,” USADA said.
His 13th-place finish in the 1,500m final at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo has also been stripped.
Koech’s blood samples were collected on July 30 and August 8, 2025, before and after the US Outdoor Championships.
He has not competed since finishing 13th in the 1,500m final at the World Championships in Tokyo last September.
His suspension began on July 17, 2026, while all his results from July 30, 2025, when his first abnormal blood sample was collected, have been disqualified.
Koech was born in Kenya and competed collegiately in the United States from 2015 to 2019 before becoming eligible to represent the country in June 2021.
