Koki Ikeda Provisional Suspension for Doping

Koki Ikeda, a 26-year-old Japanese race walker and Olympic silver medalist, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) due to allegations of blood doping. The suspension follows irregularities detected in his athlete biological passport, which can indicate doping markers without the need for a positive drug test. Ikeda finished second in the 20-kilometer race at the Tokyo Olympics and placed seventh in Paris three months ago. The AIU has not provided a timeline for the progression of the case, and requests for further details remain unanswered. Ikeda also earned a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon. This suspension raises concerns over doping practices in athletics as the investigation continues.