Ruth Chepngetich shattered the women’s marathon world record two years ago in Chicago, finishing in 2hr 9min 56sec—a time that astonished commentators and fans alike. However, her triumph soon turned tainted as she failed a doping test five months later and received a three-year ban. Despite her disqualification, her record remains intact since she passed a test after the race.

The Athletics Integrity Unit head, Brett Clothier, expressed dissatisfaction over the situation, noting the limitations of the world anti-doping code. While Chepngetich was legally clean at the time of her record, the shadow of her ban raises questions about the sport's credibility.

The article highlights:

• Historical context: Previous doping scandals, such as those involving Florence Griffith Joyner, and the lack of positive tests during her career.
• Chepngetich's defense for her doping violation, citing an alleged mix-up with her housemaid's medication, which was deemed implausible by the AIU.
• The potential for retrospective punishments remains limited, with WADA emphasizing legal principles that prevent the removal of results without evidence of prior doping.

Experts propose the idea of a social contract for athletes, which could lead to forfeiting records upon testing positive shortly after achieving them. However, implementing such a system would require widespread agreement across various stakeholders, which is unlikely.

Despite these challenges, the article notes that athletics has made strides against doping, with 317 elite Kenyan athletes caught since the AIU's inception. Prominent brands like Adidas and Nike are beginning to invest in additional testing for their athletes, indicating a shift towards greater accountability in the sport.