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Women's marathon global champion the athlete has been banned for 36 months after the Kenyan acknowledged doping rule violations.

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in July following a failed test for a banned substance - a banned diuretic used commonly as a concealing drug - on March 14.

Chepngetich's achievements which pre-date that sample - such as her world record time of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in October 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 keep examining proof from Chepngetich's phone which it found suggest "strong grounds that her failed test may have been intentional" - including communications from as early as the year 2022.

"This matter concerning the failed test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the questionable evidence found on the runner's phone to ascertain if any other violations have occurred."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in April by the integrity body, the marathoner, the initial female to complete a marathon in less than 2 hours 10 minutes, could not provide an explanation for the failed test.

Although the substance has a lowest detectable limit of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

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

At a subsequent meeting on 11 July, the record holder was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof acquired from her mobile. In the meantime, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the AIU.

Chepngetich changed her explanation on 31 July, stating that she had taken her domestic worker's medication - labeled as being HCTZ - after becoming ill 48 hours prior to the positive test.

The AIU had "major doubts about the reliability of the new version of events" and, in the framework of the sport's doping rules, such "recklessness" is deemed "implied intention, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

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

The three-year ban commenced on 19 April - when Chepngetich agreed to a temporary ban - with the competitor's results, honors, championships, appearance and prize money from 14 March forfeited.

"No one is above the rules."

"Although disappointing for those who had faith in this runner, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts able to uncovering doping violations committed by top competitors in their races."