Sierre-Zinal Winner Joyline Chepngeno Disqualified for Doping
Sierre-ZinalS 2025 race winner, Joyline Chepngeno, has been disqualified after testing positive for a prohibited substance, race organizers announced. The Kenyan athlete admitted to injecting the substance, according to a press release.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has issued a two-year suspension for Chepngeno, stripping her of all results achieved as August 9, 2025 – including her victory in Sierre-Zinal – along with associated titles, medals, and prize money. This marks the second doping case linked to coach Julien Lyon in three editions of the race.
Organizers have also sanctioned Lyon,suspending him from any involvement with Sierre-Zinal. Athletes associated with lyon or his Milimani Runners team are now prohibited from participating in the event. The race organizers are also considering seeking compensation for damage to the event’s reputation. This follows a similar case in 2022, when Mark Kangogo, also coached by Lyon, was found to have doped after winning the race.
“This doping case comes for the 2nd time in 3 editions under the responsibility of coach Julien lyon and his Milimani Runners team,” the press release stated.