Chicago Marathon Women's Winner Fails Doping Test

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 31, 2014 7:45PM

Two-time Bank of America Chicago Marathon Winner Rita Jeptoo failed a doping test in September, according to her agent. The Associated Press reports Jeptoo's agent, Federico Rosa, confirmed the news.

Jeptoo, who currently leads the World Marathon Majors series, was given an out-of-competition test weeks before winning her second straight Chicago Marathon. Her "A" sample tested positive for an unnamed substance; her "B" sample is waiting to be tested. Rosa told the AP her management had "nothing to do with" the doping and that “we will legally go after the person or the people that convinced Rita to do this.”

Jeptoo has won back-to-back Boston and Chicago Marathons but her positive doping test led the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to postpone their Sunday awards ceremony. “No athlete can win the World Marathon Majors Series title who has been in breach of IAAF anti-doping rules,” the series said.

[AP, via Sun-Times]