Ruth Chepng’etich: How Athletics World Reacted to Athlete's Suspension After Positive Doping Test
- Ruth Chepng'etich's suspension for doping is still sending shockwaves through the world of athletics
- The Kenyan tested positive for banned substances, which comes months after she set a new world record in the women's marathon
- She is facing a potential two-year ban from the sport, and her case has undeniably tarnished the reputation of Kenyan athletics
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Ruth Chepng'etich, the women's marathon world record holder, after she tested positive for banned substances.
Source: Getty Images
The Kenyan star set a new world record in the women's marathon at the Chicago Marathon in October last year.
Her new mark (2:09:56) surpassed Tigist Assefa's record of 2:11:53 set in Berlin in 2023. Her record was immediately followed by accusations of doping.
The Kenyan Parliament called out those questioning her achievement, and Athletics Kenya even released a statement backing her.
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What did Ruth Chepng'etich test positive for?
AIU said the 30-year-old tested positive for the presence and use of Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) from a sample collected on March 14.
"HCTZ is a diuretic, used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension. Under the WADA Code, it is a class S5 Prohibited Substance (Diuretics and Masking Agents), prohibited at all times and a Specified Substance. Diuretics may be abused to mask the presence in urine of other Prohibited Substances," AIU statement read.
In April, Chepng'etich voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension while the AIU conducted its investigation, three months before formal charges were brought against her.
Since it is a masking agent, Chepng'etich faces a two-year ban from athletics. Still, her world record is tainted. It is unclear if she will return to competition.
This year, she was supposed to compete at the London Marathon but pulled out. She competed at the Lisbon Half Marathon and finished second.
Source: Getty Images
How did the athletics world react to Chepng'etich's suspension?
@tfoulkes13:
"I mean if you accuse every single runner of doping you will be right sometimes, definitely less of an I told you so from you."
@DelawareTrackXC:
"Pretty safe to say all those years of Kenyan domination are tainted."
@silvajnr88:
"Shoe technology or not I still believe no woman can cleanly run a full marathon under 2 hrs 15 min. I'll never be convinced by that. Same way no man can do a ratified one under 2 hrs. Found it farcical there was an attempt to do a mile under 4 minutes by a woman. It's impossible!"
@CESARO1972:
"Was clear that her record was not clean, nobody improves at her age like that, being far from her best mark years ago and her poor performance after the record and her no-show in London was very strange, it was obvious that they would catch her and she preferred not to show up."
@JimGalanes:
"I get roundly criticized and called a racist for saying the country of Kenya should be banned. Clearly this is a systemic problem and catching athlete one at a time is doing nothing."
Did American athlete call out Ruth Chepng'etich?
Chepng'etich's suspension sent shockwaves through the athletics world, further tarnishing Kenya's reputation.
Many Kenyan athletes have been caught doping. Rita Jeptoo, Lawrence Cherono, and Jemima Sumgong are among the high-profile athletes who have been banned for doping.
Emily Sisson finished second behind Chepng'etich at the 2022 Chicago Marathon and set an American record of 2:18:29. She appeared to blast her competitor for doping.
“'Ignorance is bliss' is how you have to operate on a starting line to give yourself a shot and not count yourself out of any race…What has been something that has been hard for me to swallow lately, is feeling like trying to keep up has really taken a toll on my body. I try to keep things light and positive but when this news breaks it feels like a punch in the gut," Sisson wrote on social media.
"To any young athletes out there that might think everyone is cheating or must have a TUE, I know you can only take my word, but I promise it is possible to make it onto the world stage without doing so. Don’t lose hope."
Faith Kipyegon and Beatrice Chebet are the latest Kenyans to set world records. Their achievements will come under more scrutiny.
What happens to Ruth Chepng'etich's world record?
In a related story, TUKO.co.ke explained why Chepng'etich's world record is safe despite her suspension.
World Athletics ratified her mark in December, meaning she surpassed all the criteria, including doping.
Therefore, her record is safe, but it has been tainted, especially considering she was accused of cheating after the race.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
