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Women's marathon global champion the athlete has been banned for 36 months after the runner acknowledged doping infractions.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in the seventh month following a failed test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a prohibited substance used commonly as a masking agent - on March 14.

The athlete's achievements which occurred before that sample - including her global best time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds in Chicago in October 2024 - will remain valid.

The sports governing body had requested a four-year suspension but the 31-year-old punishment was lowered to three years because she admitted to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her positive test may have been intentional" - featuring communications from as early as the year 2022.

"This matter regarding the failed test for the substance has been settled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's phone to determine if any further infractions have taken place."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in April by the AIU, Chepngetich, the initial female to complete a marathon in under 2:10, was unable to give an explanation for the positive test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, Chepngetich's test showed an approximate level of 3,800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ below the minimal reporting level were also found in a sample taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her phone. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

The athlete changed her explanation on July 31, stating that she had used her domestic worker's pills - labeled as being HCTZ - after becoming ill two days before the positive test.

The AIU had "serious reservations about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the framework of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "carelessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

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

The three-year ban started on 19 April - when Chepngetich agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's performances, honors, titles, participation and earnings from March 14 forfeited.

"Nobody is above the rules."

"Although unfortunate for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the process is supposed to work."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering substance abuses committed by top competitors in their races."