The World Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan marathoner Judy Jelagat Kemboi after she tested positive for a banned substance.

The suspension on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, comes after Jelegat tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“The AIU has provisionally suspended Judy Jelagat Kemboi (Kenya) for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Hydrochlorothiazide),” the AIU statement on Jelagat’s suspension read.

As a specified substance under WADA rules, HCTZ carries a standard sanction of two years of ineligibility. However, the ban could be adjusted depending on the outcome of the disciplinary process

Jelegat’s latest run saw her set a new course record in the Riga Half Marathon race in Riga, Latvia.

Jelagat’s feats

She finished the race in an impressive time of 1:07:13, bettering Peres Jepchirchir’s course record from the previous year, which was 1:07:25.

Her compatriot Agnes Keino came in third, with Ethiopia’s Dibabe Debela coming in at second.

Prior to the race in Riga, the marathoner recorded a personal best of 1:05:43 at the 2024 Copenhagen Half Marathon.

She also achieved a competition record in February 2025 at the Guadalajara marathon after finishing first in a time of 1:7:45.

Kenya’s Hela Jelgat and Janet Ruguru, who crossed the finish line in 1:10:23 and 1:11:46, respectively, finished second and third.

Another suspension

Jelegat’s suspension comes only days after her compatriot Ruth Chepngetich, the world record holder in the marathon at 2:09:56.

Chepngetich’s suspension was announced on Thursday, July 17, 2025, causing a huge shock to the athletics fratenity in the country. The athelete

“The AIU has provisionally suspended Ruth Chepng’etich (Kenya) for the presence and use of a prohibited substance (hydrochlorothiazide),” read a post by AIU on their X on July 17, 2025.

Provisional suspension

A provisional suspension is when an athlete or any other person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in athletics before a final decision at a hearing is conducted.

In doping cases, a provisional suspension is mandatory under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules following an adverse analytical finding for any non-specified substance on the prohibited list.