Doping-Chepngetich retains women's marathon world record despite three-year ban

Kenya's women's marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich was banned for three years on Thursday after she admitted to anti-doping rule violations but her 2:09:56 mark will remain on the books as it was set before her positive test.

Chepngetich, who smashed the record in Chicago last October, was provisionally suspended in July this year by the Athletics Integrity Unit after Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was detected in a sample collected from the athlete on March 14.

The sample revealed an HCTZ concentration of 3,800ng/mL, far above the World Anti-Doping Agency's minimum reporting limit of 20ng/mL.

Chepngetich, 31, initially denied any wrongdoing and could not explain the positive result despite an AIU investigation, which included analysis of her medications, supplements and phone data.

CHEPNGETICH CHANGES EXPLANATION FOR POSITIVE TEST

However, on July 31, two weeks after Chepngetich was suspended, she changed her explanation, saying she had unknowingly taken her housemaid's medication, which contained HCTZ, while ill.

"She stated that she had forgotten to disclose this incident to the AIU investigators," the AIU said in a statement.

HCTZ is used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension, with the AIU adding that diuretics may be abused to mask the presence in urine of other prohibited substances.

The AIU said Chepngetich's actions were reckless and indirectly intentional rather than accidental, initially applying a four-year sanction.

However, Chepngetich's early admission earned her a one-year reduction, resulting in a three-year ban issued on September 10.

"The case regarding the positive test for HCTZ has been resolved but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material recovered from Chepngetich's