Eritrean Marathon Champion Suspended for EPO Following Copenhagen Victory
July 25, 2025Berhane Tesfay, the Eritrean athlete who won the 2025 Copenhagen Marathon, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for the presence and use of EPO (erythropoietin), according to an announcement made on July 22, 2025.
The 38-year-old distance runner tested positive for the banned substance following his victory at the Copenhagen Marathon on May 11, where he clocked 2:08:25, missing the race record by just two seconds, according to Danish broadcaster DR.
Recent Marathon Victories
Tesfay had enjoyed a successful 2025 season prior to his suspension. According to Olympic.com, he claimed his first international marathon title at the Mumbai Marathon in January, finishing in 2:11:44. The victory marked a breakthrough for the Eritrean, who had previously competed in the Olympics in both 2021 and 2024.
Copenhagen Marathon elite manager Kristian Friis confirmed to DR that the positive test was taken after the race in Copenhagen. "We get ongoing updates about runners who have been tested positive for various things, and we don't invite people who have been doped," Friis told the broadcaster.
Career Background
According to World Athletics data, Tesfay holds personal bests of 2:07:07 in the marathon, set in October 2023, and 1:00:54 in the half marathon from October 2018. The runner, born on January 9, 1987, is currently ranked 159th in the world marathon rankings.
Prize Money Withheld
Copenhagen Marathon organizers have withheld prize money pending the outcome of the doping investigation, according to TV 2 Sport. Friis stated that prize money would be distributed once a conclusion is reached, and Tesfay would be removed from the results if found guilty.
EPO in Athletics Context
EPO cases represent a significant portion of doping violations in endurance sports. According to anti-doping database statistics, 594 EPO cases have been recorded globally, with track and field accounting for 248 cases and cycling for 251 cases.
The database shows Russia leads EPO violations with 68 cases, followed by Italy with 48 cases. Eritrea has previously recorded only two track and field EPO cases in the database.
Pattern of Recent Provisional Suspensions
AIU records show Tesfay's case is part of a cluster of recent provisional suspensions involving African athletes. According to official AIU data, the organization issued provisional suspensions to multiple athletes in July 2025, including Charles Kipkkurui Langat of Kenya for testosterone use on July 17, and Roncer Kipkorir Konga of Kenya for testosterone use on June 16.
The data reveals a concentrated pattern of East African athletes among recent provisional suspensions. Kenya accounts for the majority of provisional suspensions issued by the AIU in 2025, including Ruth Chepng'etich for hydrochlorothiazide use, Morine Gesare Michira for higenamine and octodrine, Sheila Chelangat for EPO, and Kibiwott Kandie for evading sample collection.
EPO-related provisional suspensions appear multiple times in the AIU records, with Sheila Chelangat of Kenya provisionally suspended for EPO use on May 20, 2025, and Esther Gitahi of Kenya facing EPO charges dating to August 2024. Saudi Arabian athlete Yousef Mohammed Al-Asiri was charged with EPO and dEPO presence in November 2023.
Olympic Participation
Tesfay represented Eritrea at both the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, according to TV 2 Sport. His suspension follows a year in which he achieved career-best performances on the international marathon circuit.
The Athletics Integrity Unit, established by World Athletics to monitor doping-related cases, continues its investigation into the matter. No timeline has been provided for the completion of the case.