Ruth Chepngetich, the women’s marathon world record holder, has been provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a banned substance.

The diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was detected in a sample collected from Kenyan Chepngetich on 14 March, the AIU said in a statement., external

Chepngetich, 30, broke the world record to win the Chicago Marathon in October 2024, clocking a time of two hours, nine minutes and 56 seconds.

HCTZ is used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension and is a prohibited at all times under the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

Chepngetich’s time in Chicago surpassed Ethiopian Tigst Assefa’s previous record set at the 2023 Berlin Marathon by nearly two minutes.

Used commonly as a masking agent, HCTZ has a minimum reporting level of 20 nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL) in urine. Chepngetich’s sample showed 3,800 ng/mL.

Chepngetich was not provisionally suspended by the AIU at the time of notification on 16 April. 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,” AIU head Brett Clothier said.

No longer in the running for title contention, Nigeria’s Junior D’Tigress will face a date with Argentina today as the classification rounds take place at the ongoing FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Brno, Czechia

The coach Juliana Akhere-led side were beaten 77-51 by Eastern European side Hungary in the round of 16 on Wednesday, to exit the race to become world champions. However, there is still pride to play for when they take on the South Americans at the Starez Arena Vodova Hall in Brno, for the right to finish in positions 9 to 16.

Nigeria, who are making their debut in the tournament, have averaged a total of 61.8 points, 42.3 rebounds, and 11.8 assists since the start of the competition. The West Africans have a 65.8 per cent conversion rate in the free throw line, with two-point field goals conversion standing at 33.1 per cent while three-point field goals is recorded at 21.2 per cent.

Argentina, on the other hand, have averaged a total of 46.5 points, 32 rebounds, and 12.3 assists in all four games played. They have a free throw conversion rate of 64.6 per cent, while their two-point and three-point field goals conversion rate is put at 39.2 and 22.6 per cent, respectively.

Nigeria’s form at the tournament saw them beat China in their opening game in Group B, but they suffered successive defeats to Canada and Portugal in their remaining fixtures to close out the round-robin phase with one win and two losses, which saw them finish third with four points. The defeat to Hungary in the knockout stages consigned the team to the classification rounds.

Argentina themselves have been nothing short of terrible, losing all four of their games at the World Cup. The South Americans fell 68-47 to Spain in their opener, and followed that up with a 77-49 defeat to Czechia. Further losses were recorded to Japan 83-44 to close out the round-robin phase before going down 95-46 against Australia in the round of 16.

Nigeria’s top performer remains Toby Nweke, who has averaged 11.5 points per game following double-figure hauls in her last two games, while Argentina’s Nerea Lagowski is the country’s top star with an average of nine points per game. A victory for either side would see them face Brazil or the Korean Republic in another classification fixture.

Under the watchful eyes of the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Shehu Dikko, the Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, and the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Day 2 of the ongoing CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championship lit up with Nigerian brilliance on home soil at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.

It was a clean sweep in the girls’ 100m U-18 final as Team Nigeria asserted its dominance sweeping all medals in the category. Miracle Ezechukwu blazed to gold in 11.88secs, as she was followed closely by Rosemary Nwankwo (11.96secs), captain of the Invited Junior Athletes at the 22nd National Sports Festival, while Miriam Jegede clinched bronze with 12.20secs, completing a historic podium takeover.

The momentum carried into the U-20 girls’ 100m final, where Nigeria bagged gold and silver. Chioma Nweke stormed to first place in 11.65secs, followed by Success Oyibu with 11.78secs. Although Nigeria’s third finalist, Chiamaka Nwankwo, narrowly missed the podium, she showed great promise, finishing fourth in 11.98secs.

In the boys’ category, Nigeria kept the flag flying with two bronze medals. Clifford Igbigbidje clocked 10.89secs in the U-18 100m final, while John Caleb’s 10.61secs finish earned him bronze in the U-20 final. Both races were fiercely contested, with South Africa taking gold and silver in both events.

Capping off a thrilling day, Nigeria triumphed in the U-20 Mixed 4x400m Relay. In a race that swung back and forth, Nigeria’s anchor, Favour Onyah, held firm and surged ahead to secure gold after South Africa’s anchor stumbled near the finish. That victory sealed Nigeria’s third gold of the day, following the earlier wins in the girls’ 100m U-18 and U-20 events.

Dignitaries including CAA President Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, athletics legend Chief Segun Odegbami, Olympian Mary Onyali, and other key stakeholders were in attendance, joining thousands of spirited fans who turned out to witness the future of African athletics.