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

Chepngetich was provisionally suspended in the seventh month following a failed test for a banned substance - a prohibited substance often utilized as a masking agent - on March 14.

Chepngetich's achievements 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 ban but the runner's punishment was lowered to 36 months because she admitted to the violations.

However, the AIU will continue to investigate evidence from the athlete's phone which it found suggest "strong grounds that her failed test may have been deliberate" - featuring communications dating back to 2022.

"This matter concerning the failed test for the substance has been resolved, but the unit will continue to investigate the suspicious material recovered from Chepngetich's phone to ascertain if any other violations have occurred."

'No one is exempt from regulations'

When questioned in the fourth month by the integrity body, Chepngetich, the initial female to complete a marathon in under 2:10, could not provide an reason for the failed test.

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

Traces of HCTZ below the detection threshold were also found in a test taken from Chepngetich 14 days prior, on 28 February.

At a subsequent meeting on July 11, the record holder was presented with the previously mentioned questionable proof obtained from her mobile. Meanwhile, accidental exposure had also been ruled out by the authority.

Chepngetich altered her story on July 31, stating that she had used her housemaid's pills - marked as being the banned substance - after falling sick two days before the failed test.

The unit had "serious reservations about the credibility of the revised account" and, in the context of the sport's anti-doping regulations, such "recklessness" is considered "indirect intent, for which an longer 48-month penalty applies".

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

The three-year ban started on 19 April - when the athlete agreed to a voluntary provisional suspension - with the competitor's results, awards, titles, participation and earnings from 14 March forfeited.

"No one is above the rules."

"While unfortunate for those who had faith in this athlete, this is how the process is designed to operate."

"The road-running industry should be commended for collectively funding anti-doping efforts capable of revealing doping violations committed by top competitors in their events."