🔗 Share this article

Female long-distance global champion the athlete has been prohibited for three years after the runner acknowledged doping infractions.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a positive test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance often utilized as a masking agent - on March 14.

The athlete's achievements which occurred before that sample - including her global best time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The sports governing body had requested a 48-month ban but the 31-year-old penalty was reduced to 36 months because she confessed to the violations.

However, the AIU will keep examining evidence from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate" - featuring communications dating back to the year 2022.

"This matter regarding the failed test for the substance has been resolved, but the AIU will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on the runner's phone to determine if any other violations have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in April by the integrity body, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an explanation for the positive test.

While HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in urine, Chepngetich's test showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Traces of HCTZ under the detection threshold were also identified in a test collected from the runner 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a later interview on 11 July, Chepngetich was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the authority.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, stating that she had used her housemaid's medication - labeled as being the banned substance - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The AIU had "serious reservations about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "recklessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an increased four-year sanction applies".

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

The 36-month suspension commenced on April 19 - when Chepngetich agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's performances, awards, championships, appearance and earnings since March 14 forfeited.

"Nobody 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 commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to revealing doping violations performed by elite athletes in their races."