A sample taken from Kenyan athlete Ruth Chepngetich, the women’s marathon world record holder, tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
Although HCTZ is medically used to treat fluid retention and high blood pressure, it is listed as a prohibited substance at all times under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.
Commonly used as a masking agent, HCTZ has a reporting threshold of 20 nanograms/mL in urine, whereas Chepngetich’s sample showed a level of 3,800 nanograms/mL.
As a result, Chepngetich was provisionally suspended from competition by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
Although she was notified on April 16, Chepngetich was not immediately suspended by the AIU. However, on April 19, while the AIU’s investigation was ongoing, she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension.
The Kenyan athlete set a world record at the Chicago Marathon in October 2024, finishing with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds.