Long-distance running Record Holder Chepngetich Given 36-month Suspension

Female long-distance world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for 36 months after the Kenyan confessed to doping infractions.

The record holder was provisionally suspended in the seventh month following a positive test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance often utilized as a concealing drug - on March 14.

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

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a four-year ban but the runner's penalty was reduced to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

However, 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 deliberate" - including communications dating back to 2022.

"This matter concerning the failed test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will keep looking into the suspicious material recovered from the runner's device to ascertain if any other violations have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the AIU, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an reason for the failed test.

Although the substance has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in urine, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL.

Traces of HCTZ below the detection threshold were also found in a sample collected from the runner two weeks earlier, on February 28.

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

Chepngetich changed her explanation on July 31, claiming that she had used her domestic worker's medication - labeled as being the banned substance - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "recklessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after Chepngetich admitted the anti-doping breaches within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban started on 19 April - when Chepngetich accepted a temporary ban - with the runner's performances, awards, championships, appearance and earnings since 14 March forfeited.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"While disappointing for those who put their trust in this runner, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of revealing doping violations performed by top competitors in their races."