Kenya and India lead Athletics Integrity Unit ineligible list

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the anti-doping watchdog for track & field, has released its year-end list of ineligible persons for 2025. The list, totaling 683 entries, details disciplinary actions taken throughout the year.

Sanctions by Country

The countries with the highest number of sanctions in 2025 were Kenya (140), India (137), and Russia (75). These three nations collectively account for 51.5% of the total entries. Comparing this to the end of 2024, Kenya (119) and India (108) also led, while Russia had 73.

Trends in Sanctions

Sanctions for Kenya and India have increased significantly since 2022. In 2022, Kenya had 54 sanctions, rising to 119 in 2024 and 140 in 2025. India’s sanctions rose from 65 in 2022 to 108 in 2024 and 137 in 2025. Russia’s sanctions decreased from 92 in 2022 to 73 in 2024 and 75 in 2025.

The Kenyan government implemented a $25 million funding boost against doping in 2022. While the increase in sanctions from 2022 to 2024 initially suggested improved enforcement, the number of infractions in 2025 significantly decreased to eight, compared to 34 in 2024. AIU chief executive Brett Clothier previously predicted an increase in doping cases in Kenya, a statement that appears to have been prescient. The funding for this initiative is set to expire in 2027.

India and Russia also showed improvements, with 13 and four infractions listed respectively in 2025. These trends will be closely monitored in 2026.

U.S. Cases

The United States had no infractions dated to 2025 tests. However, Erriyon Knighton, a U.S. 200m star, lost his eligibility until July 2029 after an appeal of his 2024 positive test was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.