The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has suspended marathon record holder Ruth Chepng’etich after she tested positive for prohibited substances.
In a statement released on Thursday, July 17, the AIU noted that samples collected on March 14 showed the presence of Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
The AIU went on to disclose that Chepng’etich was later notified of the results and interviewed in person by the unit on April 16, where she complied with requests regarding the investigation.
Athlete Ruth Chepng’etich suspended over banned substance. Photo: Courtesy.
Three days after the interview, on April 19, Chepng’etich voluntarily opted for the provisional suspension while investigations into her case were ongoing.
However, Ruth Chepng’etich has the right to have her case heard before a disciplinary tribunal.
The suspension comes months after the athlete made history by winning in a world record time of 2:09:57 at the Chicago Marathon in October last year.
The 30-year-old broke the previous world record of 2:11:53, which had been set by Ethiopian Tigst Assefa at the 2023 Berlin Marathon.
She won the Chicago Marathon for the third consecutive time.
