Ruth Chepng'etich faces two-year ban after positive drugs test

In March 2025, Ruth Chepng'etich, the reigning women's marathon world record holder from Kenya, faced a significant setback in her athletic career after testing positive for hydrochlorothiazide, a prohibited diuretic substance. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed that the positive sample was taken on March 14. This event occurred a mere few months after Chepng'etich set the world record at the Chicago Marathon in October 2024, finishing with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds. Following the initial notification of the positive test, Chepng'etich was not immediately suspended but chose to voluntarily accept a provisional suspension on April 19, 2025, as she wanted to cooperate fully during the investigation by the AIU. The AIU later confirmed that the suspension would remain in effect until the completion of their investigation, reflecting the serious nature of doping allegations in professional athletics. Hydrochlorothiazide is primarily used for medical purposes to treat conditions like hypertension and fluid retention, but it is classified as a banned substance in competitive sports because of its potential for misuse. Athletes may abuse diuretics like this to mask the presence of other performance-enhancing drugs in their systems, making this a serious offense in the realm of sports integrity. Moreover, Chepng'etich's withdrawal from the London Marathon, where she stated she was not mentally or physically prepared to compete, further emphasized the challenges she faced during this turbulent period. This turn of events highlights the ongoing issues related to doping in sports, the importance of adhering to regulations, and the potential impact on athletes' careers when faced with such accusations.