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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.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES TRADE JAREN JACKSON JR. TO UTAH JAZZ IN 8-PLAYER BLOCKBUSTER

The Memphis Grizzlies have traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, creating a record $28.8 million trade exception for 2026.

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Grizzlies finalise Jaren Jackson Jr. deal

The Memphis Grizzlies turned heads on Tuesday, pulling off a blockbuster trade that sent two-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr to the Utah Jazz. Along with Jackson, the Grizzlies shipped out Vince Williams Jr, John Konchar, and Jock Landale. Coming back their way: Walter Clayton Jr, Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, and, maybe the most important part, three future first-round picks.

And honestly, it feels like Memphis isn’t done stirring the pot. Inside the organisation, they see Zach Edey and Cedric Coward as the future. Both went late in the lottery in the past two drafts, and the Grizzlies landed some value in the second round this year, too, grabbing Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer.

All this movement means Ja Morant’s future in Memphis suddenly looks shaky. He’s been the face of the franchise since they took him No. 2 overall back in 2019. When he’s healthy, he’s electric—no question. But injuries and off-court drama have slowed him down, and now, with the trade deadline closing in, the Grizzlies are openly shopping him. Teams around the league are watching.

There’s another wrinkle here: by dealing Jackson, Memphis created a massive trade exception—$28.8 million, the biggest in NBA history, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Shams Charania. It’s a huge chess piece. With that exception, the Grizzlies can absorb big, ugly contracts from other teams in exchange for more draft picks. Think of what the Thunder did a few years back—stockpiling picks by taking on bad deals until they rebuilt into a contender.

Now, you’ve probably heard Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name floating around in trade rumours. He hasn’t officially asked out of Milwaukee, but everyone in the league expects something to happen soon. Teams like the Timberwolves and Knicks are circling. The Grizzlies? They’re not likely to chase Giannis directly. But with that trade exception, they could play a big role as a third team—taking on salary dumps or unwanted contracts, collecting more picks, and helping another franchise pull off the Giannis blockbuster. Memphis just put itself squarely in the middle of the NBA’s hottest rumour.

KLINT KUBIAK SNUBS NFL RIVALS TO LEAD RAIDERS’ NEW ERA UNDER TOM BRADY

The Las Vegas Raiders are zeroing in on Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak as their next head coach, with Tom Brady leading the search.

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Klint Kubiak is set for the Raiders as Seahawks coach faces the New England Patriots

The Las Vegas Raiders are in the middle of a huge shakeup right now. Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, is set to become their new head coach—and honestly, he’s nothing like Pete Carroll.

Kubiak’s still in his 30s, calling plays on offence, while Carroll just wrapped up last season as the NFL’s oldest head coach. The Raiders had their eyes on Ben Johnson previous year, but when he decided to take the Bears job, they turned to Carroll instead.

This time, Las Vegas seemed to have that same level of interest in Kubiak, but they had to wait things out because Seattle was still in the playoffs. Tom Brady, who’s a minority owner with the Raiders, clearly played a big part in picking the new coach.

Since nothing’s official until after the Super Bowl, Brady can’t come right out and talk about Kubiak joining the team. Still, he didn’t hold back when it came to sharing what he liked about the guy.

“Klint’s played to his team’s strengths. Last week, he did a ton of good things against a really strong Rams defence,” Brady said on the “Let’s Go!” podcast. “That’s what it took for them to win. The Rams are a tough team. That game in Seattle could’ve gone either way... Seattle really had to play a complete game in all three phases to pull it out, and they’ll need to do the same this weekend in Santa Clara.”

Brady also talked about Fernando Mendoza.

Another big reason the Raiders’ coaching job is so appealing? They’ve got the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Everyone expects them to grab Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

Brady doesn’t have to be secretive about it—nobody’s jumping ahead of them in the draft. He was pretty open about how much he likes Mendoza.

“What do I value most? When I see him, he’s always talking up his teammates. He wins the Heisman, and he’s giving credit to everyone else,” Brady said. “That’s the kind of attitude you want in a leader.”

Kubiak focused on the Super Bowl, not the job switch.

Kubiak’s career is about to take off, but right now, he’s locked in on trying to win his first Super Bowl. So, he isn’t ready to talk about the Raiders just yet.

“I’m coaching the Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and that’s all I’m thinking about,” Kubiak told reporters on Monday. “I’m just excited for this week and this game.”

Not everyone in Seattle is thrilled to see Kubiak go. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold had nothing but praise after working with him this year.

“He was unbelievable,” Darnold said Monday. “The stuff I picked up from Klint—just with schemes, and then learning from him as a coach and a person—the grit. He’s up before the sun, gets to the facility at 4 or 4:30, and leaves later than anyone. The guy just grinds. He loves football, and he’s always straight with his players. I know I really appreciated that, and so did the rest of the guys.”

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