Women’s marathon world record holder Ruth Chepng’etich has been provisionally suspended over a doping violation.
The Kenyan, who set a landmark time of 2:09:56 in Chicago last year, has been given the suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit [AIU].
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The named substance is Hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], a diuretic which was detected in a sample from the 30-year-old on March 14.
A statement from the AIU read: “A Notice of Charge has been issued against Chepng’etich regarding the detection of the Prohibited Substance – a diuretic – following an investigation into the Kenyan athlete’s positive test which was reported to the AIU on 3 April this year, at an estimated concentration of 3800ng/mL in urine.”
AIU Head Brett Clothier said that Chepng’etich was “notified and interviewed in person by the AIU in Kenya on 16 April and complied with requests regarding our investigation.”
He added: “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.
“In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension.”
HCTZ is banned by the World Anti Doping Agency [WADA] as it is classed under diuretics and masking agents.
More specifically, it can be used to increase the flow of urine, which could mask the presence of other banned substances.
The athlete now has the right for her case to be heard at a Disciplinary Tribunal.
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The AIU added: “HCTZ is a diuretic, used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension.
“Under the WADA Code, it is a class S5 Prohibited Substance (Diuretics and Masking Agents), prohibited at all times and a Specified Substance.
“Diuretics may be abused to mask the presence in urine of other Prohibited Substances.
“Under WADA’s technical requirements for laboratories, HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in urine, meaning findings below this concentration are reported as negative.
“A Specified Substance has a standard sanction of two (2) years’ ineligibility (subject to possible reduction or increase in accordance with WADA Code provisions).”
Chepng’etich’s world record in Chicago last year made her the first woman to break the two hour and ten minute mark.
She competed in the COVID-19 delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics but did not finish the race.
She was also due to race in the London Marathon this year, but pulled out, saying she was, ‘Not in the right place mentally or physically’ to compete.
