Women's marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after… Athletics The integrity department rejected her claim that her failed drug test was due to her maid's medication after she experienced a fever and rapid heart rate while at rest.
Kenyan woman stuns world with her running 2 hours 9 minutes 56 seconds at the Chicago Marathon in 2024, a time that beat the previous record by almost two minutes. However, her performance was immediately questioned by many in the athletics world who felt it was too good to be true.
But while the 31-year-old won't be able to race again until 2028, she will be allowed to keep her world record after her positive drug test came back after her run in Chicago. This will leave a sour taste in the mouth for many people. However, AIU chairman David Howman insisted the case proved “no one is above the rules”.
“While this is disappointing to those who trust this athlete, this is how the system is supposed to work,” he added.
Chepngetich was due to run in this year's London Marathon but withdrew just days earlier after a urine test in March found an estimated concentration of the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in her body at 3,800 ng/ml, well above the legal limit of 20 ng/ml.
Diuretics can be abused to mask the presence of other illicit substances in the urine. However, when questioned by AIU investigators in April, Chepgnetich was unable to explain her positive test result.
At a subsequent interview in July, the AIU said it then confronted her with evidence obtained from her mobile phone indicating a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate.
Shortly after this, Chepgnetich wrote to the AIU that she now remembered that she had been ill two days before the positive test, but had forgotten to mention it.
“She stated that she was experiencing symptoms of sweating, weakness and tachycardia, and because she knew her maid was experiencing similar symptoms, she asked the maid for the medication she was taking,” the AIU investigation said.
Investigators found the allegations “uncredible” and asked that her potential suspension be increased from two years to four. Chepgnetich then admitted that she had committed an anti-doping rule violation and was suspended for three years.
However, this may not be the end of the matter. The AIU said it found screenshots on Chepngnetich's phone about the banned drug testosterone and “messages relating to unidentified third parties working on 'programs' possibly related to doping.”
“The case of the positive HCTZ test has been resolved, but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's phone to determine whether any other irregularities occurred,” said AIU chief Brett Clothier.
“In the meantime, all the achievements and records of Chepngnetich, preceding the selection on March 14, 2025, stand still.”
