The Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) has moved to clear the name of 2022 World Indoor 800m silver medallist Noah Kibet after a case of mistaken identity linked him to a provisional doping suspension.
On Thursday afternoon, ADAK published a list of provisionally suspended athletes on its website, with Noah Kibet's name featuring among those handed suspensions, effective October 8.
However, the listing sparked confusion within the athletics fraternity, with many assuming it was the 800m specialist and 2022 World Indoor Championships silver medallist who had been suspended.
ADAK was quick to move in and clear the air, clarifying that the athlete in question was Noah Kibet Cherokony, a long-distance runner, and not the celebrated 800m athlete.
In a clarification statement, ADAK confirmed that the athlete suspended effective October 8, 2026, is Cherokony Noah Kibet, a long-distance runner who competes in races of 3,000m and above.
“ADAK confirms that the athlete provisionally suspended effective 8th October 2026 is Cherokony Noah Kibet, an athlete that competes in long-distance 3000m or greater,” the agency stated.
Cherokony Noah Kibet's provisional suspension relates to the presence of Triamcinolone Acetonide, a prohibited substance classified under S9 (Glucocorticoids).
The similarity in the names of the two athletes sparked confusion and speculation, with selected media erroneously associating the celebrated 800m runner with the anti-doping case.
ADAK was categorical in distancing the 800m athlete from the matter, stating: “The latter is NOT the athlete subject to the provisional suspension and should not be associated with the matter.”
The agency has consequently urged media houses, stakeholders and members of the public to correct inaccurate reports and stop circulating misleading information or photographs associating the 2022 World Indoor silver medallist with the case.
It also cautioned against treating the provisional suspension as a final verdict, reiterating that “a provisional suspension does not constitute a final determination of an anti-doping rule violation” as the matter remains subject to the applicable results-management procedures.
In separate statements, Noah Kibet's agency, Elite Sports Marketing & Management (ESMM), was equally categorical in distancing its athlete from the matter, insisting that he had neither been suspended nor committed an anti-doping violation.
“We want to make it unequivocally clear that Noah Kibet has NOT been suspended and has NOT committed an anti-doping violation,” the management stated.
ESMM also expressed concern over the damage caused to its athlete's reputation by the misleading reports, adding: “ESMM stands firmly behind Noah Kibet and remains committed to protecting his reputation and integrity.”
