Ruth Chepngetich's Three-Year Doping Ban: Marathon Record Holder Faces Consequences

Marathon sensation Ruth Chepngetich, Kenya's recordholder, received a three-year ban for anti-doping rule violations. Her record-setting run in Chicago still stands as it was achieved before her positive result.

Chepngetich's sample, collected in March, revealed an HCTZ level significantly surpassing the allowable limit. Initially denying any wrongdoing, she later claimed to have mistakenly taken her housemaid's medication during an illness.

The Athletics Integrity Unit reduced the original four-year sanction after Chepngetich's early admission, emphasizing her actions were reckless. Ongoing investigations will determine if further violations occurred via suspicious material found on her phone.