Marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for Hydrochlorothiazide in a test on March 14th.
Hydrochlorothiazide, can be used to mask the presence of banned drugs. The AIU notes she had an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL in urine.
The positive test was reported to the AIU on April 3rd. She was notified and interviewed in person by the AIU in Kenya on April 16th.
Chepngetich withdrew from this year’s London Marathon on April 18th and stated she not in the right condition, both mentally and physically, to compete.
Last year, Chepngetich shattered the women’s marathon world record in 2:09:56 at the Chicago Marathon.
AIU head Brett Clothier states that, “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.”
Chepngetich however has the right to have the case heard before a Disciplinary Tribunal.
