Thu Jul 17 16:10:00 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary of the text:**
Ruth Chepngetich, the world-record holder in the women’s marathon, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned diuretic and masking agent (hydrochlorothiazide or HCTZ) in March. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is investigating, and Chepngetich has cooperated with the inquiry. HCTZ can be used to hide the use of other performance-enhancing drugs. Chepngetich set the world record at the Chicago Marathon in October.
**Here’s the news article:**
**Marathon World Record Holder Ruth Chepngetich Suspended for Doping**
MONACO – Ruth Chepngetich, the Kenyan runner who shattered the women’s marathon world record last year, has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced the suspension on Thursday, stating that Chepngetich tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic and masking agent, in a sample collected in March.
Chepngetich, 30, has opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU conducts its investigation. HCTZ can be used to mask the presence of other performance-enhancing drugs.
The Kenyan athlete stunned the world in October, setting a new world record of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds at the Chicago Marathon, nearly two minutes faster than the previous record. This was her third victory in Chicago. She also claimed gold at the 2019 World Athletics Championships marathon in Doha.
“Chepngetich was interviewed in person in Kenya in April and complied with requests regarding our investigation,” said AIU official Brett Clothier in a statement. The AIU has not provided a timeline for the disciplinary case. If found guilty of doping, Chepngetich could face a lengthy ban from competition and the potential stripping of her records and titles. The investigation is ongoing.
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