Ruth Chepngetich, the world record holder in the women’s marathon, was provisionally suspended after a positive doping test.
The Athletics Integrity Unit said Chepngetich tested positive for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), which is a diuretic used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension, from a sample collected from her on March 14.
The AIU said Chepngetich, who is from Kenya, ‘opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU’s investigation was ongoing.’
‘When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code. 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,” Athletics Integrity Unit head Brett Clothier said.
Chepngetich, 30, set the world record during her third win in the Chicago Marathon in October, finishing in 2 hours, 9 minutes, 56 seconds.
Chepngetich, who won the marathon at the 2019 world championships in Qatar, does have the right to appeal and to have her case heard before a disciplinary tribunal.