The marathon world record holder Ruth Chepnagatich has been provisionally suspended on suspicion of doping, the World Athletics independent Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Thursday.
The 30-year-old Kenai, in October last year, broke the Women’s Marathon World Record in Chicago 2: 09: 56-Ethiopia for two minutes rapidly with two minutes compared to the previous record conducted by Ethiopia’s tiger Essesha (2:11:53).
On 14 March this year, however, he conducted a positive test for diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, which has been banned as it can be used to hide other restricted substances. Therefore it can be used to treat fluid retention and hypertension.
According to AIU, Chepngetich was informed about positive testing on 16 April and three days later agreed to a voluntary suspension.
Chepngetich Witherw from London Marathon
“When there is a positive test for diuretic and masking agents, an provisional suspension is not mandatory under the world’s anti-doping code,” explained by Brett Clothier, the chief of AIU.
“Chepngetich was not suspended provisional by AIU at the time of notification. However, on April 19, he opted for a voluntary provisional suspension, while the AIU was investigated.
“In the intervening months, AIU continued its investigation and issued a notice today and imposed his own provisional suspension.”
In April, Chepngetich Witherw said from the London Marathon that she was “not in the right place to mentally or physically for my best race.”
AIU stressed that Chepnagtich had the right to listen to his case by a disciplinary tribunal.
Chepngetich is not the first Kenyan runner to be banned in recent years, with size, men’s half-marathon world record holder Kibivot Kandi and two-time frankfurt men’s marathon winner with Marathon winner Brimin Missi Kipkorir, hence coming to the notice of opposing opposition to protest against protest.
Edited by: Keran Burke
