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London Marathon and Olympic Games champion Jemima Sumgong tests positive

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 14:  Kenya's Jemima Jelagat Sumgong competes in the Women's Marathon during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Gam
Image: Jemima Sumgong had a season to remember in 2016

Olympic Games and London Marathon champion Jemima Sumgong has failed a drugs test, the IAAF has confirmed.

The 32-year-old from Kenya returned a positive result for erythropoietin (EPO) in an out-of-competition test in her homeland in February.

Sumgong overcame a fall in last year's London Marathon to claim the title and continued a memorable year when she secured Kenya's first women's marathon gold in Rio.

She faces a ban from the sport if her "B" sample also returns a positive test and it has also been confirmed she will not defend her London title later this month.

Former Kenya runner Eunice Jepkirui, who now represents Bahrain, took the silver medal in Rio ahead of Ethiopia's Mare Dibaba.

A statement from the sport's governing body read: "The IAAF can confirm that an anti-doping rule violation case concerning Jemima Sumgong (Kenya) has commenced this week.

"The athlete tested positive for EPO (Erythropoietin) following a no-notice test conducted by the IAAF in Kenya.

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"This was part of an enhanced IAAF out-of-competition testing program dedicated to elite marathon runners which is supported by the Abbott World Marathon Majors group."

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