Olympic medallist race walker Koki Ikeda suspended after doping investigation
Olympic silver medallist race walker Koki Ikeda of Japan has been provisionally banned for suspected blood doping, track and field’s Athletics Integrity Unit said on Friday.
Ikeda was second in the 20-kilometre event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and placed seventh at the Paris Olympics three months ago.
The 26-year-old walker was notified of a charge based on suspect readings in his biological passport, the AIU said.
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Koki Ikeda of Team Japan acknowledges the fans prior to Men's 20 Kilometres Race Walk during day one of the World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023 at Heroes' Square on August 19, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images for World Athletics) Getty Images for World Athletics
The passport can indicate markers of doping over time without an athlete testing positive for a banned drug.
The investigators gave no timetable for the disciplinary case.
Ikeda also took silver at the 2022 world championships in Eugene, Oregon.
