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Women's marathon global champion the athlete has been banned for three years after the runner admitted to doping rule violations.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in July following a failed test for a banned substance - 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 performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in 2024 - will remain valid.

The sports governing body had requested a 48-month suspension but the 31-year-old penalty was lowered to three years because she confessed to the infractions.

Nonetheless, the integrity unit will continue to investigate proof from the athlete's phone which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been deliberate" - featuring communications from as early as the year 2022.

"The case concerning the positive test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's device to determine if any further infractions have occurred."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When interviewed in the fourth month by the integrity body, the marathoner, the first woman to complete a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an reason for the failed test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, Chepngetich's test showed an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL.

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

At a later interview on July 11, the record holder was presented with the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

The athlete altered her story on July 31, stating that she had used her housemaid's medication - marked as being the banned substance - after falling sick two days before the failed test.

The AIU had "serious reservations about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the framework of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "recklessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

An standard 12-month decrease was granted after the runner confessed to the anti-doping rule violations within the 20 days required.

The three-year ban started on April 19 - when Chepngetich accepted a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's results, awards, championships, appearance and prize money since 14 March lost.

"Nobody is exempt from regulations."

"While unfortunate for those who put their trust in this runner, this is how the system is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be commended for collectively funding doping prevention able to uncovering doping violations committed by top competitors in their events."