Long-distance running Champion Ruth Chepngetich Given 36-month Suspension

Women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after the runner acknowledged doping rule violations.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in July following a positive test for a banned substance - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on March 14.

Chepngetich's achievements which pre-date that test - including her global best performance of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a 48-month suspension but the runner's punishment was reduced to three years because she confessed to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will keep examining evidence from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her positive test may have been deliberate" - featuring messages from as early as the year 2022.

"This matter concerning the failed test for the substance has been resolved, but the AIU will keep looking into the questionable evidence recovered from Chepngetich's device to determine if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in the fourth month by the AIU, Chepngetich, the first woman to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, was unable to give an explanation for the failed test.

While the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in samples, Chepngetich's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Traces of the diuretic under the detection threshold were also found in a sample taken from the runner 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a later interview on July 11, Chepngetich was presented with the aforementioned suspicious evidence acquired from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

The athlete changed her explanation on 31 July, stating that she had taken her housemaid's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after falling sick two days before the positive test.

The unit had "major doubts about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping rules, such "recklessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an increased four-year sanction is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after Chepngetich admitted the doping rule violations within the specified 20-day period.

The 36-month suspension commenced on 19 April - when Chepngetich agreed to a temporary ban - with the runner's performances, honors, titles, appearance and earnings since 14 March forfeited.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"While disappointing for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the process is supposed to work."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding doping prevention able to uncovering doping violations performed by top competitors in their events."