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RECORD-BREAKING RUTH CHEPNG'ETICH SUSPENDED FOR THREE YEARS OVER DOPING

Women's marathon world record holder Ruth Chepng'etich has been banned for 3 years for doping. The Kenyan athlete tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in a March sample.

Record-Breaking Ruth Chepng'etich Suspended for Three Years Over Doping
Ruth Chepng’etich poses for a portrait after winning the 2024 Chicago Marathon and setting a new world record with a time of 2:09:56 at Grant Park on Oct. 13, 2024. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Track and field's Athletics Integrity Unit announced on Thursday that Ruth Chepng'etich, the world record holder for the women's marathon, has been suspended for three years after confessing to doping.

According to the AIU, Chepng'etich acknowledged breaking anti-doping regulations by using the prohibited diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, or HCTZ, which can be used to cover up the usage of performance-enhancing substances. In July, she had been suspended.

The AIU added that Chepng'etich had agreed to the accusations and punishment after a sample taken on March 14 tested positive for the prohibited diuretic.

At the Chicago Marathon last year, the 31-year-old Kenyan runner set a new world record with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, 56 seconds, about two minutes faster than the previous record.

Before the March 14 sample, Chepng'etich's accomplishments and records will remain intact.

According to the AIU, HCTZ has also been found to be a possible contaminant in pharmaceutical products, even though athletes are known to abuse diuretics to conceal the presence of other illegal substances in their urine.

During her initial interview in April, Chepng'etich was unable to explain the positive test result. She was presented with data obtained from her cell phone during a follow-up interview on July 11 that suggested "a reasonable suspicion that her positive test may have been purposeful," according to the AIU.

Chepng'etich insisted at the time that she had never doped and that she was unable to explain the positive result.

According to the AIU, Chepng'etich modified her earlier justification on July 31.

As per the AIU, "she wrote to the AIU to explain that she now recalled that she had taken her housemaid's medication as treatment, without taking any steps to verify if it included a forbidden chemical," after becoming ill two days before the positive test.

"She said that she had neglected to inform the AIU inspectors about this occurrence. She emailed a picture of the drug's blister pack, which made it obvious that it was "hydrochlorothiazide."

According to the AIU, such "recklessness characterised by Chepng'etich in taking her housemaid's prescription as being indirect intent, for which an extra four-year sentence applies" is treated as indirect intent under anti-doping regulations.

Chepng'etich received an automatic one-year reduction of the four-year sentence because she ultimately agreed to the suggested discipline within 20 days.

According to a statement from AIU chief Brett Clothier, "the case relating to the positive test for HCTZ has been handled, but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material seized from Chepng'etich's phone to establish if any additional infractions have occurred."

According to AIU chair David Howman, the case highlights that "nobody is above the rules" and praises the industry's dedication to maintaining the sport's integrity.

At the 2019 World Championships in Qatar, Chepng'etich also won the marathon. To avoid the intense heat during the day, the women's event began at midnight.

LUKE LITTLER STAGES IMPROBABLE COMEBACK TO SECURE PREMIER LEAGUE DUBLIN TITLE

Luke Littler staged a miracle 0-5 comeback to defeat Gerwyn Price 6-5 and claim Premier League Night Seven in Dublin.

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Luke Littler Overcomes 0-5 Deficit To Shock Gerwyn Price In Dublin Final

Luke Littler pulled off an incredible comeback to win Night Seven of the 2026 Premier League Darts in Dublin, edging out Gerwyn Price 6-5 in a gripping final at the 3Arena.

Starting the match down 5-0, Littler managed to turn things around, finishing with a sharp 81 checkout on double 15 to claim his second nightly win of the season. This victory strengthened his position in the hunt for a playoff spot. Price, the world champion, seemed to be heading for a comfortable win after dominating early on. However, a string of missed match darts allowed Littler to complete this remarkable turnaround, much to the delight of the lively Dublin crowd.

Littler and Price both earned their places in the final with strong performances throughout the night. Littler kicked off with a solid 6-3 win over Stephen Bunting in a match where both players averaged over 100. His ability to close out legs made the difference, converting six doubles from 13 attempts to secure his spot in the semi-finals.

There, he faced Michael van Gerwen in one of the season’s standout matches. The high-scoring battle featured big moments from both sides, including a spectacular 170 checkout from Van Gerwen. Littler matched the intensity, hitting his own impressive finishes and eventually held his nerve in a deciding leg to win 6-5 and move into the final.

On the other side, Gerwyn Price was ruthless in his journey to the final. He opened with a commanding 6-0 victory over Josh Rock, who has continued to struggle in this season’s Premier League. Price’s clinical play, averaging over 100 and converting six doubles from 11 tries, set the tone. He carried that momentum into the semi-finals with a dominant 6-1 win against the reigning champion Luke Humphries, averaging 109.04 and maintaining pressure from the first dart.

The final started predictably, with Price in full control. He quickly jumped to a 5-0 lead, capitalising on Littler’s early missed chances. After finally getting on the board with a 52 finish, Littler seemed outmatched at 5-1. But Price missed several opportunities to close out the match, including a crucial miss at double top for a 72 checkout.

Seizing the moment, Littler struck back with a 76 checkout, shifting the momentum. The Dublin crowd got behind him as he rattled off consecutive legs, eventually tying it at 5-5 after Price missed another double. In the deciding leg, Littler sealed the comeback with a precise 81 checkout, combining treble 17 and double 15, leaving everyone in the arena stunned.

Beyond the headline final, Night Seven had other significant developments in the playoff race. Jonny Clayton, the league leader, took his first quarter-final defeat of the season, losing 6-3 to Luke Humphries. This not only ended Clayton’s unbeaten run at this stage but handed him his first pointless night.

Josh Rock’s struggles also continued. After seven weeks, he remains without a win, suffering a heavy defeat to Price and staying at the bottom of the table as his Premier League debut continues to be a tough challenge.

There was a last-minute change when Gian van Veen withdrew due to illness, giving Van Gerwen a walkover into the semi-finals. Still, Van Gerwen couldn’t take advantage of the extra rest, falling to Littler in a nail-biting deciding leg in the semis.

HOW THE KNICKS PLAN TO REPLACE JOSH HART’S HISTORIC ENERGY

Josh Hart is out with knee pain, but Jalen Brunson returns as the Knicks eye a fifth straight win against the Nets.

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Josh Hart Sidelined For Knicks Versus Nets Clash With Knee Injury

The Knicks face a tough challenge Friday night as they’ll be without one of their key glue guys. Josh Hart is sidelined with patellofemoral syndrome in his right knee, a hit that comes at a pretty awkward moment. The team’s riding a four-game winning streak and trying to solidify their playoff standing in the Eastern Conference.

With Hart out, Landry Shamet is expected to slide into the starting lineup. Coach Mike Brown might lean more heavily on veteran Jordan Clarkson and rookie Mohamed Diawara to cover those extra minutes on the floor.

There’s a bit of good news to balance this out: Jalen Brunson is back after missing Tuesday’s game due to a sore ankle and neck strain. That gets the Knicks’ offensive engine back in gear, but losing Hart carries a different kind of weight.

Hart’s been central to this group all season, not just scoring, but keeping the lineups cohesive and pushing the tempo. His relentless hustle, grabbing rebounds, leading fast breaks, and doing the gritty work, helps the whole team click. Brown has openly praised how crucial Hart’s energy and connection are.

“He’s been fantastic, giving us that energy, keeping our group connected,” Brown said after their recent win. “Crashing the boards, picking up the pace, attacking in transition – those are the things that make a difference.”

Brown even compared Hart’s impact to what Andre Iguodala brought to championship-winning teams. It’s that veteran savvy and basketball IQ that might not always show up in stats, but often marks the difference between just making it and truly winning.

Hart’s recent game really underscored what he adds when he’s firing on all cylinders. In Tuesday’s 136-110 rout of the Pacers, he exploded for a Knicks career-high 33 points, hitting 12 of 13 shots and draining all five of his threes. On top of that, he grabbed seven rebounds, dished five assists, and swiped two steals in just 26 minutes.

That wasn’t just a hot streak; it was historic. Hart became the first NBA player ever to score at least 30 points, hit five threes, grab five rebounds, and dish out five assists all on 90% shooting or better. He also joined a very exclusive Knicks group with a 30-point night at 90% shooting.

Thanks in large part to him, New York cruised to a 45-25 season mark. OG Anunoby added 26, Karl-Anthony Towns notched a double-double, and the team looked strong overall.

Now the focus shifts to the supporting cast as the Nets come to town. Shamet will bring much-needed shooting to the starting five. Clarkson’s scoring punch is going to be even more important with Hart out, and Diawara should see more extended minutes, especially on defence.

The Nets will be eager to play spoiler, so the Knicks will need everyone diving after loose balls, maintaining the pace, and staying connected. It will definitely take a collective effort to cover for Hart’s absence.

Hart’s knee issue doesn’t seem like it will drag on, but missing him highlights just how pivotal he has become to New York’s success this season. Brunson’s return helps keep the offence on track, but replacing everything Hart offers, especially following a night like that, is no easy feat.

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