Marathon record holder provisionally suspended for Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
Hydro-chloro-thia-zide (HCTZ) – chemical formula C7H8ClN3O4S2 – also known as water pill, is a diuretic and used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) categorizes the substance as s5 for diuretics and masking agents, which is prohibited at all times.
Chepng'etich had smashed the women's marathon world record in 2024 at Chicago, becoming the first woman to go under 2:10 hours. But the Kenyan athlete failed a drug test she completed earlier this year. An investigation had been ongoing and the Athletics Integrity Unit now enforced the suspension. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was detected in a urine sample collected from the Kenyan athlete on March 14, 2025.
Chepng'etich's Chicago Marathon was completed in 2:09.56. The 30-year-old was informed of the test result in April. Head of the AIU, Brett Clothier said: 'When there is a positive test for diuretics and masking agents, a provisional suspension is not mandatory under the World Anti-Doping Code.
Chepng'etich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification, however, on 19 April, she opted for a voluntary provisional suspension while the AIU's investigation was ongoing.'
'In the intervening months, the AIU continued its investigation and today issued a Notice of Charge and imposed its own provisional suspension.' The Kenyan can seek recourse asking her case to be heard before a disciplinary tribunal.
Winner of the world marathon title in Doha in 2019, beating Bahrain's Rose Chelimo and Namibia's Helalia Johannes, Chepng'etich had won the Chicago Marathon in 2021 and 2022.
Marathon running has been hit with a spate of high-profile doping cases in recent years, particularly from Kenya which is world renowned for its middle and long-distance runners.
In April 2023, Athletics Kenya said its government pledged $5 million per year for five years to fight doping in athletics.
– With Reuters inputs
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Anti-doping amendment bill tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday tabled the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, providing greater 'operational independence' to the country's Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) as prescribed by WADA. he contentious National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports has been retained but it would no longer have the NADA appeals panel under its jurisdiction as was the case in the original act passed in 2022. That act could not be implemented as WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) objected to 'government interference' in the NADA's functioning. 'The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to enhance institutional and operational independence of the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel and the National Anti-Doping Agency to ensure autonomy in their decisions pertaining to operations, investigations and enforcement activities,' stated the bill's objectives.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Under pressure, AIU removes joint secretary, forms inquiry panel
Representational Image New Delhi: Facing backlash over mismanagement and administrative irregularities at the ongoing FISU World University Games in Germany, resulting in some of the athletes missing out on participation, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) – under pressure from the sports ministry to crack the whip on erring officials – on Wednesday removed its joint secretary Baljit Singh Sekhon from his post and constituted a four-member inquiry committee to probe the procedural lapses in registration. The development came a day after TOI reported citing sources that the ministry was considering disbanding the AIU, along with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), over alleged malpractices and irregularities in their functioning and replacing them with two new national federations. Six Indian badminton players were barred from the WUG in Rhine-Ruhr after officials failed to submit their names correctly during the managers' meeting on July 16. Similarly, India couldn't field an entry in the women's 10,000m and 400m as long-distance runner Seema along with two others and sprinter Devyaniba Zala's names went missing from the start list due to an official error. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! AIU sources claimed on Wednesday that following negotiations with FISU (the international body for university sports), all the 12 members of the badminton squad were awarded medals and certificates as per the norm. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like End Season Sale: Special Discount Luxury Watches Buy Now Undo However, there was no official confirmation from the organisers. In the suspension letter issued by AIU – a copy of which is with TOI – Nazneen Begum, under-secretary (Admin/Estt) wrote: 'The president of the AIU, in the interest of upholding accountability and procedural propriety, and in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule 18.2 of the AIU Office bye-laws, hereby place Dr Baljit Singh Sekhon, joint secretary, under suspension with immediate effect. It is also ordered that for the duration this order remains in effect, the headquarters of Dr Sekhon shall be the AIU Office, New Delhi. He must obtain prior permission before leaving headquarters/station.' In a separate letter issued by Nazneen, she informed about the formation of an investigative panel. 'The committee shall examine all relevant records related to the registration and management of Indian contingent at the WUG and determine the facts concerning the non-inclusion of selected athletes, the exclusion of designated coaches and the penalties imposed by the event organisers,' the order stated. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Anti-doping bill 2025 passed: Independent panels, no athlete fines, Wada demands met
Representational image New Delhi: An independent Appeals panel, the non-imposition of financial sanctions on athletes caught doping and ensuring the operational independence of the nation's anti-doping watchdog are some of the key highlights of the 'National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025', which was introduced in Parliament by sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday. The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha after the govt addressed objections raised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada), which included reducing the extensive powers granted to the proposed 'National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports' under the legislation. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The original bill, introduced by then sports minister Anurag Thakur and passed by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in 2022, faced significant scrutiny from Wada for sustained govt interference and undermining the independence of the National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada). The govt's continued control over Nada and the Appeals panel through the formation of the anti-doping Board led Wada to threaten a ban on India by disaffiliating the nation as its member and derecognising the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) in Delhi. Following intense discussions between the sports ministry under Mandaviya and Wada officials, an amended version of the bill was introduced without substantial govt interference. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Prior to the bill's introduction, supervision and control over Nada were exercised by a governing body chaired by the sports minister. The Lausanne-based Wada, while revising its anti-doping Code, ensured that National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) remain free from any govt overreach, citing conflicts of interest when NADOs are controlled by their respective union govt. Poll Do you support the removal of financial sanctions on athletes caught doping? Yes, it's a fair decision. No, there should be consequences. Once the legislation becomes an Act, the anti-doping Board will no longer oversee the Appeals panel as was the case in the original bill passed in Aug 2022. Additionally, a clause in the previous bill that allowed the imposition of financial sanctions, including proportionate recovery of costs from athletes, was removed after Wada objected to it. 'The amended bill seeks to enhance institutional and operational independence of the Appeals panel and Nada to ensure autonomy in their decisions pertaining to operations, investigations and enforcement activities,' stated the bill's objectives. The amended version includes: 'The Board may call for such information from the Disciplinary panel and the Appeals Panel on its operations and issue such directions, as may be necessary, for the effective and timely discharge of their functions with respect to Anti-Doping Rule Violations under this Act. Provided that such directions shall be limited to procedural efficiency of the Disciplinary Panel and the Appeals Panel and shall not, in any case, interfere with their decision making process. ' The amended bill comes as India topped Wada's 2023 testing figures last month, analysing 5,000 or more samples. Salient Features of the bill * To promote and strengthen the anti-doping measures in sports and to provide a statutory framework for the operation of the Nada, NDTL and for creation of the National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports. * Enhance institutional and operational independence of the Appeals Panel and Nada to ensure autonomy in their decisions pertaining to operations, investigations and enforcement activities. * Further align the provisions of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 with international best practices and the Wada Code. * Provide that such of the provisions of the Wada Code as are set out in the Schedule shall have the force of law in India Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
