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Women's marathon world record-holder the athlete has been suspended for three years after the Kenyan acknowledged anti-doping rule violations.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in July following a positive test for a banned substance - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on 14 March.

The athlete's achievements which pre-date that test - including her world record time of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The sports governing body had sought a 48-month ban but the 31-year-old penalty was reduced to three years because she admitted to the infractions.

However, the integrity unit will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been intentional" - including communications from as early as 2022.

"This matter concerning the positive test for HCTZ has been settled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the questionable evidence recovered from Chepngetich's phone to ascertain if any further infractions have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When interviewed in April by the AIU, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an explanation for the failed test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 ng/mL in urine, Chepngetich's sample showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Traces of HCTZ under the minimal reporting level were also found in a sample taken from Chepngetich two weeks earlier, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, the record holder was shown the previously mentioned suspicious evidence obtained from her phone. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, stating that she had taken her domestic worker's medication - labeled as being the banned substance - after becoming ill two days before the failed test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping rules, such "recklessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month sanction is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after Chepngetich confessed to the doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension commenced on April 19 - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the runner's results, awards, titles, participation and earnings since March 14 forfeited.

"No one is above the rules."

"While unfortunate for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the system is supposed to work."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for jointly supporting doping prevention capable of uncovering substance abuses committed by elite athletes in their events."