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Women's marathon world record-holder the athlete has been banned for three years after the runner admitted to anti-doping infractions.

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

Chepngetich's accomplishments which pre-date that test - including her world record performance of 2:09:56 in Chicago in 2024 - will still stand.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had sought a 48-month ban but the 31-year-old penalty was reduced to three years because she admitted to the violations.

However, the integrity unit will continue to investigate evidence from the athlete's mobile device which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been intentional" - featuring communications from as early as 2022.

"This matter concerning the failed test for HCTZ has been resolved, but the AIU will keep looking into the questionable evidence recovered from the runner's phone to determine if any further infractions have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

When questioned in April by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an explanation for the positive test.

Although HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, the athlete's test showed an approximate level of 3800 ng/mL.

Small amounts of HCTZ below the minimal reporting level were also found in a test taken from the runner two weeks earlier, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, the record holder was presented with the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her mobile. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

The athlete changed her explanation on 31 July, claiming that she had taken her housemaid's pills - marked as being the banned substance - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The unit had "major doubts about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the framework of the sport's anti-doping rules, such "carelessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an increased four-year sanction is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after the runner confessed to the anti-doping breaches within the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension started on April 19 - when the athlete accepted a temporary ban - with the runner's performances, awards, titles, appearance and prize money since 14 March forfeited.

"No one is exempt from regulations."

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

"The road-running industry should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to revealing substance abuses committed by top competitors in their events."