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

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in the seventh month following a failed test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a banned diuretic often utilized as a masking agent - on March 14.

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

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had requested a four-year ban but the 31-year-old penalty was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate proof from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been deliberate" - including communications dating back to 2022.

"This matter concerning the positive test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the unit will keep looking into the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's device to determine if any further infractions have taken place."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in April by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the initial female to run a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an explanation for the failed test.

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

Traces of HCTZ under the minimal reporting level were also found in a test taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a later interview on 11 July, Chepngetich was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof acquired from her mobile. Meanwhile, contamination had also been ruled out by the authority.

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

The AIU had "major doubts about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the framework of the sport's doping regulations, such "recklessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month penalty is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after the runner admitted the anti-doping breaches within the specified 20-day period.

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

"No one is exempt from regulations."

"Although disappointing for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to revealing doping violations committed by elite athletes in their races."