Sierre-Zinal Sanctions Coach Julien Lyon and Milimani Runners team

As part of the sanctions against Joyline Chepngeno, who we earlier reported on having tested positive for doping Sierre-Zinal is taking additional steps (linking here to a press release in Microsoft Sharepoint, if this link doesn’t work for you visit this news post and click the link at the bottom of the page):

This is the second doping case in three editions under the responsibility of coach Julien Lyon and the Milimani Runners. In 2022, Sierre-Zinal reinforced its anti-doping policy by extending accountability to coaches, managers, and teams whenever one of their athletes tested positive. In addition to assisting athletes in the procedures, coaches and managers are held liable in the event of legal proceedings. Should an athlete fail to meet these obligations, they must reimburse prize money, accommodation costs, and administrative expenses, including compensation for reputational harm to the Sierre Zinal Association. This policy aims to strengthen awareness and responsibility in the fight against doping across athlete entourages.

Under the contractual agreement signed following the 2022 case, the race organization is now enforcing the following measures:

• Reimbursement of expenses incurred by the organization (accommodation, meals, travel, administrative costs), as stipulated in the agreement;
• Potential compensation for damage to Sierre-Zinal’s reputation.

Given this second doping case in three editions under Mr. Lyon’s responsibility and his Milimani Runners structure, the race committee is also applying the following sanctions:

• Suspension of Mr. Julien Lyon from any involvement with Sierre-Zinal;
• Ban on athletes competing under his name or structure (Milimani Runners) at Sierre-Zinal.

Doping cases in our sport generate heated debates and are often accompanied by calls for harsher punishments for the athletes, with the hope to deter future offenders, but this sort of policy seems to offer a better approach to deter and prevent future infractions. I hope.