Ruth Chepng’etich, the women’s marathon world record-holder, has been handed a three-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) after admitting to a doping violation. The Kenyan runner tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in a sample taken on March 14. HCTZ can be used to disguise the presence of performance-enhancing drugs.

Chepng’etich, 31, had been suspended in July and has since accepted the charges and sanction. The AIU noted that while diuretics are often used to mask other prohibited substances, HCTZ can also be a contaminant in pharmaceutical products. Chepng’etich initially could not explain the positive test, but later claimed she had taken her housemaid’s medication, which contained HCTZ, without verifying its contents.

The AIU treated Chepng’etich’s actions as “recklessness” and initially proposed a four-year sanction. However, she accepted the proposed sanction within 20 days, which resulted in an automatic one-year reduction. The case has been resolved, but the AIU will continue to investigate suspicious material found on Chepng’etich’s phone to determine if any other violations have occurred.

Chepng’etich’s achievements and records prior to the March 14 sample will remain intact. She broke the world record at the Chicago Marathon last year, finishing in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds. She also won the marathon at the 2019 world championships in Qatar. The AIU has reinforced its commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport, with Chair David Howman stating that “nobody is above the rules.”

The ban serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to anti-doping rules and the consequences of violating them. The AIU’s investigation and sanction demonstrate the organization’s efforts to maintain a level playing field in athletics. With Chepng’etich’s case resolved, the focus will shift to ensuring that athletes comply with the rules and that the sport remains clean and fair for all competitors.