US 1500m champion Koech gets three-year doping ban

American middle-distance runner Jonah Koech has been handed a three-year ban from athletics for engaging in blood doping, according to the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The ban came about after Koech's blood values, recorded in his athlete biological passport (ABP), showed highly unusual results during testing. The ABP monitors an athlete's blood profile over time, potentially identifying doping use even without a positive drug test.

Koech, who won the men's 1500m race at the US Outdoor Championships last year, now has his title revoked following his acceptance of the ban for using a prohibited substance or method.

The 29-year-old Kenyan athlete was disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and after the date of his first abnormal blood sample, which was collected before and after the US Outdoor Championships on July 30 and August 8, 2025. This includes the forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes won during this period. Koech's last race was the 1500m final at the World Championships in Tokyo, which he finished in 13th place.

Before becoming eligible to represent the United States in June 2021, Koech had competed collegiately in the U.S. from 2015 to 2019.