🔗 Share this article

Female long-distance global champion the athlete has been suspended for three years after the runner acknowledged anti-doping rule violations.

The record holder was temporarily banned in July following a positive test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance often utilized as a masking agent - on 14 March.

Chepngetich's achievements which pre-date that test - such as her global best time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will still stand.

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

However, the AIU will continue to investigate evidence from Chepngetich's phone which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been deliberate" - including communications from as early as 2022.

"The case regarding the failed test for HCTZ has been settled, but the unit will continue to investigate the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's phone to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in April by the AIU, the marathoner, the first woman to run a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an explanation for the failed test.

Although HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in urine, Chepngetich's test showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Traces of the diuretic below the minimal reporting level were also identified in a sample collected from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, Chepngetich was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof acquired from her phone. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on 31 July, stating that she had taken her domestic worker's pills - marked as being HCTZ - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The unit had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the context of the athletics' anti-doping rules, such "recklessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an increased four-year sanction is applicable".

An automatic one-year reduction was applied after Chepngetich confessed to the doping rule violations inside the specified 20-day period.

The 36-month suspension commenced on April 19 - when the athlete accepted a temporary ban - with the runner's results, awards, championships, participation and earnings from March 14 lost.

"Nobody is above the rules."

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

"The road-running industry should be praised for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering doping violations committed by top competitors in their races."