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Women's marathon global champion the athlete has been prohibited for three years after the Kenyan confessed to doping infractions.

The record holder was provisionally suspended in July following a positive test for a banned substance - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on 14 March.

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

The sports governing body had sought a four-year suspension but the 31-year-old punishment was reduced to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

Nonetheless, the AIU will keep examining proof from Chepngetich's phone which it found indicate "strong grounds that her failed test may have been intentional" - including communications dating back to the year 2022.

"This matter concerning the positive test for the substance has been resolved, but the AIU will continue to investigate the questionable evidence found on Chepngetich's phone to determine if any other violations have occurred."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in the fourth month by the AIU, the marathoner, the initial female to run a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an explanation for the positive test.

While HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 ng/mL in urine, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL.

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

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, Chepngetich was presented with the previously mentioned suspicious evidence acquired from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the AIU.

Chepngetich altered her story on 31 July, claiming that she had used her domestic worker's medication - marked as being HCTZ - after falling sick 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the revised account" and, in the framework of the athletics' doping rules, such "carelessness" is deemed "indirect intent, for which an increased four-year penalty is applicable".

An standard 12-month decrease was applied after Chepngetich admitted the anti-doping rule violations inside the 20 days required.

The 36-month suspension started on April 19 - when Chepngetich agreed to a temporary ban - with the runner's performances, awards, championships, appearance and prize money from March 14 lost.

"Nobody is exempt from regulations."

"Although disappointing for those who had faith in this runner, this is how the system is supposed to work."

"Marathon organizers should be commended for jointly supporting anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering substance abuses performed by top competitors in their events."