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CNN
2 days ago
- Sport
- CNN
Women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich provisionally suspended after testing positive for banned substance
Women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Thursday. Chepngetich smashed the previous marathon record by almost two minutes when she ran a time of 2:09:56 at the Chicago Marathon in October 2024, becoming the first woman in history to break the 2:10 barrier. According to an AIU statement, the 30-year-old tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension, in a sample collected on March 14, which was then reported to the organization on April 3. Any levels of Hydrochlorothiazide below 20 ng/mL in urine are reported as negative. Chepngetich's sample had an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL, the AIU said. Hydrochlorothiazide is prohibited at all times under the World Anti Doping Agency code and considered a 'Specified Substance,' which carries a standard sanction of two years. CNN Sports has reached out to Chepngetich's representative for comment. In the statement, AIU Head Brett Clothier said the organization notified Chepngetich in person on April 16 and 'complied with requests regarding our investigation.' Clothier added: 'Chepng'etich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification, however, on 19 April, she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU's investigation was ongoing. 'In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and (Thursday) issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension.' In accordance with world anti-doping regulations, a provisional suspension from the AIU is not mandatory when there is a positive test for diuretics, which can be used to mask the presence of other banned substances in urine. 'Chepngetich has the right for her case to be heard before a Disciplinary Tribunal and that the AIU will not comment further until this matter has been concluded,' the statement concluded. Chepngetich is a three-time winner of the Chicago Marathon and took gold at the World Athletics Championships in 2019.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich suspended over doping violation
File Pic: Ruth Chepngetich (AP Photo) Kenyan marathon star Ruth Chepngetich, the women's world record-holder, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned diuretic and masking agent, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Thursday. Chepngetich, 30, tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a substance often used to mask performance-enhancing drugs - in March. Although not automatically triggering a suspension under World Anti-Doping Code, she opted for a voluntary provisional ban in April while the AIU continued its investigation. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'Chepngetich was not provisionally suspended at the time of notification. However, on April 19, she opted for a voluntary suspension,' said AIU head Brett Clothier. 'The AIU has now issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension.' Poll Do you think Ruth Chepngetich's voluntary suspension was the right decision? Yes, it's better to be transparent. No, it could harm her reputation. Chepngetich stunned the athletics world last October when she shattered the women's marathon world record at the Chicago Marathon, clocking 2:09:56, nearly two minutes faster than the previous best. It was her third Chicago title and confirmed her status as one of the sport's elite distance runners. She previously won gold at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, where the marathon was controversially held at midnight due to extreme heat. The AIU has not provided a timetable for her disciplinary hearing. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
United News of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
World record holder marathon runner suspended for doping
Monaco, July 18(UNI) Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan marathon runner Ruth Chepngetich for doping. Chepngetich, the women's marathon world record holder, was suspended yesterday after testing positive for a banned substance. In a statement, the AIU said that the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was detected in a sample collected from her on March 14, 2025. Chepngetich clocked a time of two hours, nine minutes, and 56 seconds, breaking the world record to win the Chicago Marathon in October 2024. The previous record was set by Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, where she completed the race in two hours and eleven minutes. Use of HCTZ is prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. It is commonly used to treat hypertension and fluid retention. UNI RKM AAB
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Marathon world record-holder Chepngetich suspended over banned substance
Women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit for the presence and use of the prohibited substance hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). The substance, a diuretic, was detected in a sample collected from the Kenyan athlete on March 14, the AIU said in a statement on Thursday. "Chepngetich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification, however, on 19 April, she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU's investigation was ongoing," said AIU Head Brett Clothier. "In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension." The AIU said HCTZ is used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension, adding that diuretics may be abused to mask the presence in urine of other prohibited substances. Chepngetich smashed the women's marathon record in Chicago last October, running two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds to become the first woman to break 2:10. Chepngetich's agent did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In April, Chepngetich withdrew from the London Marathon, saying at the time she was "not in the right place mentally or physically" to race her best. Marathon running has been hit with a spate of high-profile doping cases in recent years, particularly from Kenya which is world renowned for its middle and long-distance runners. In April 2023, Athletics Kenya said its government pledged $5 million per year for five years to fight doping in athletics. In February 2024, Kenya's Sarah Chepchirchir was hit with an eight-year ban after the former Tokyo Marathon winner was found to have violated anti-doping regulations for a second time. A year later, Kenyan marathon runner Brimin Kipkorir was also provisionally suspended by the AIU after he tested positive for prohibited substances.
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
World record marathoner Ruth Chepngetich suspended over banned diuretic
PARIS, July 18 — Ruth Chepngetich, the Kenyan who shattered the women's marathon world record last year, has been provisionally suspended on suspicion of doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit said on Thursday. Chepngetich, who improved the record to 2hr 09min 56sec in Chicago in October, has been suspended after testing positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide on March 14 this year. AIU head Brett Clothier said 30-year-old Chepngetich's case was being investigated and would be heard by a disciplinary tribunal. 'When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code,' he explained. 'Chepngetich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification. However, on 19 April she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU's investigation was ongoing. 'In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension.' In April, Chepngetich withdrew from the London Marathon, saying she was 'not in the right place mentally or physically to race my best'. Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat fluid retention and hypertension. — AFP
