Long-distance running Champion Chepngetich Given Three-Year Ban

Women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been suspended for three years after the Kenyan acknowledged anti-doping infractions.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a failed test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance often utilized as a masking agent - on 14 March.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which pre-date that sample - such as her world record performance of 2:09:56 in Chicago in 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a 48-month ban but the runner's penalty was lowered to three years because she confessed to the violations.

Nonetheless, the AIU will continue to investigate proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her positive test may have been intentional" - including messages from as early as the year 2022.

"The case concerning the failed test for the substance has been settled, but the AIU will keep looking into the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's phone to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in April by the integrity body, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, was unable to give an reason for the positive test.

While the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in urine, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of the diuretic under the detection threshold were also identified in a test taken from the runner 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, the record holder was shown the aforementioned questionable proof acquired from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, stating that she had used her domestic worker's pills - marked as being HCTZ - after becoming ill two days before the positive test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the context of the athletics' doping rules, such "carelessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after the runner confessed to the anti-doping rule violations inside the specified 20-day period.

The three-year ban commenced on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a temporary ban - with the runner's results, honors, titles, appearance and earnings since 14 March forfeited.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"While disappointing for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the process is supposed to work."

"The road-running industry should be commended for collectively funding doping prevention able to uncovering substance abuses performed by top competitors in their races."