Press Release - World Marathon Majors - 10/31/14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                World Marathon Majors Statement on Rita Jeptoo
 
World Marathon Majors is disappointed to learn that Rita Jeptoo has 
apparently had an A test that proved positive for a banned substance under 
IAAF rules.

World Marathon Majors has been at the forefront of the fight against doping 
in our sport and has a rule that no athlete can win the World Marathon 
Majors Series title, who has been in breach of IAAF anti-doping rules. WMM 
events were the first major events to confirm that all elite athletes 
taking part in their events would be blood tested and have consistently 
called for wider testing by others. Additionally, WWM has previously agreed 
that any athlete found guilty of a doping offence will not be invited back 
to its races. 

As part of that fight against doping, WMM has been giving support and 
financial help to the IAAF anti doping drive and helped fund a wider 
programme of out of competition testing.    

Nick Bitel General Counsel of WMM said, "WMM has always held a stern line 
on drugs cheats and has been proactively supporting the sports governing 
bodies to ensure the integrity of the athletes competing in their races. 
Cheats need to understand that they are not welcome in our sport and that 
they will be caught."

At present there has been no decision in this case by the IAAF, including 
in relation to sanctions, and as a result WMM is unable to comment further 
until that determination has been made although in the circumstances it has 
been decided to postpone the WMM Awards Ceremony that was due to take place 
on the 2nd November 2014.  

About World Marathon Majors
Established in 2006, World Marathon Majors (WMM) is a race series comprised 
of the Tokyo, Boston, Virgin London, BMW Berlin, Bank of America Chicago, 
and TCS New York City Marathons. In the years in which they are run, WMM 
also includes the IAAF World Championships and Olympic Marathons. At the 
conclusion of a two-year cycle, WMM offers a $1 million prize purse to be 
split equally between the top male and female marathoners in the world. The 
inaugural 2006 - 2007 series launched at the 110th Boston Marathon on April 
17, 2006 and concluded at the ING New York City Marathon on November 4, 
2007. The 2013 - 2014 series begins with the Tokyo Marathon on February 24, 
2013 and will conclude at the TCS New York City Marathon on November 2, 
2014. 

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