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Women's marathon world record-holder the athlete has been suspended for 36 months after the Kenyan acknowledged doping infractions.

Chepngetich was temporarily banned in July following a failed test for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) - a banned diuretic used commonly as a masking agent - on March 14.

Chepngetich's accomplishments which pre-date that test - including her global best performance of 2:09:56 in the Chicago event in 2024 - will still stand.

The sports governing body had sought a four-year suspension but the runner's penalty was lowered to three years because she admitted to the violations.

However, the AIU will continue to investigate evidence from Chepngetich's mobile device which it found suggest "a reasonable suspicion that her failed test may have been intentional" - featuring communications from as early as 2022.

"This matter concerning the positive test for the substance has been settled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material found on Chepngetich's device to determine if any further infractions have occurred."

'Nobody is above the rules'

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 reason for the failed test.

Although HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in samples, the athlete's sample showed an estimated concentration of 3,800 ng/mL.

Traces of the diuretic under the detection threshold were also found in a sample collected from the runner 14 days prior, on February 28.

At a later interview on July 11, the record holder was shown the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been disproven by the authority.

The athlete changed her explanation on July 31, stating that she had used her domestic worker's medication - labeled as being HCTZ - after falling sick two days before the failed test.

The unit had "major doubts about the credibility of the new version of events" and, in the framework of the athletics' anti-doping rules, such "recklessness" is considered "implied intention, for which an increased four-year penalty applies".

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

The 36-month suspension commenced on April 19 - when the athlete agreed to a temporary ban - with the competitor's performances, honors, championships, participation and prize money since 14 March forfeited.

"No one is above the rules."

"While disappointing for those who put their trust in this athlete, this is how the process is supposed to work."

"Marathon organizers should be praised for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of uncovering doping violations performed by elite athletes in their events."