USADA announced today that Jonah Koech, of Colorado Springs, Colo., an athlete in the sport of track and field, has accepted a three-year period of ineligibility for an anti-doping rule violation.
“This case is proof that the Athlete Biological Passport can both deter and detect doping,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “To ensure a fair playing field, every anti-doping organization needs this tool and the resources to use it effectively.”
Koech, 29, accepted a three-year period of ineligibility for the use of a prohibited substance and/or method resulting in an Adverse Passport Finding after highly atypical blood values in his Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) were identified as being caused by blood doping.
The hematological ABP was launched in 2009 and comprises an individualized longitudinal data set designed to evaluate athletes’ various blood biomarkers over time. It is an important indirect detection and deterrence tool to complement direct detection of doping. Blood doping methods such as blood transfusions and the use of Erythropoietin Receptor Agonists (ERAs) like erythropoietin (EPO) have measurable and well-established effects on certain biomarkers in the blood, with doping signatures often persisting long after use of the prohibited substance or method. By analyzing an athlete’s blood values over time, experts can identify atypical patterns associated with blood doping while excluding the influence of confounding factors such as natural variability or medical conditions.
In this case, samples collected from Koech on July 30, 2025 and August 8, 2025—before and after his first-place finish in the 1500-meter event at the 2025 USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships—demonstrated values consistent with blood doping, as confirmed by unanimous expert evaluation of Koech’s blood profile. After more blood samples were collected to add additional data to Koech’s ABP, the ABP expert panel reported the Adverse Passport Finding to USADA in February 2026.
The use or attempted use of ERAs, other erythropoiesis agents and manipulation of blood or blood components, including, but not limited to blood transfusions, are prohibited at all times under the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy, and the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, all of which have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List.
Under Article 10.8.1 of the Code, an athlete who faces an anti-doping rule violation that carries a period of ineligibility of four or more years may receive a one-year sanction reduction if the athlete admits the violation and accepts the asserted sanction within 20 days of notification of the alleged anti-doping rule violation charge. Per the rule, Koech qualified for a one-year reduction to the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility.
Koech’s three-year period of ineligibility began on July 17, 2026, the date his provisional suspension was imposed. In addition, Koech has been disqualified from all competitive results obtained on and subsequent to July 30, 2025, the date of his first abnormal blood sample, including forfeiture of any medals, points, and prizes.
In an effort to aid athletes, as well as support team members such as parents, coaches, and medical professionals in understanding the rules applicable to them, USADA provides comprehensive instruction on its website on the testing process and prohibited substances, how to file and update athlete Whereabouts, how to obtain permission to use a necessary medication, and the risks and dangers of taking supplements, as well as performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.
In addition, USADA manages a drug reference hotline, Global Drug Reference Online (GlobalDRO.com), conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as a supplement guide, a nutrition guide, a clean sport handbook, and periodic alerts and advisories.
USADA makes available a number of ways to report the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs in sport in an effort to protect clean athletes and promote clean competition. Any tip can be reported using the USADA Play Clean Tip Center, by text at 87232 (“USADA”), by email at playclean@USADA.org, by phone at 1-877-Play Clean (1-877-752-9253) or by mail.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
For more information or media inquiries, email Media@USADA.org.
