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Coe Cites Legal Limits Blocking Removal of Chepngetich’s Marathon Record

He backs AI-driven targeted testing to strengthen anti-doping enforcement.

Athletics - World Athletics Championships - Opening press conference - Japan National Stadium, Shinjuku, Japan - September 12, 2025 World Athletics President Sebastian Coe during the opening press conference REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe reflected on a highly successful world championships in Tokyo
Sebastian Coe admits he is frustrated that the now-banned Ruth Chepngetich women's marathon world record remains in the books

Overview

  • Ruth Chepngetich’s 2:09:56 from the 2024 Chicago Marathon remains the legal world record despite her three-year doping ban and results being wiped only from March 2025.
  • Sebastian Coe says records are hard to annul without proof of a doping violation at the time of the performance, often requiring a positive test.
  • The Athletics Integrity Unit rejected Chepngetich’s claim that she took her housemaid’s medicine and says further potential violations are under investigation.
  • AIU chairman David Howman warned the system has stalled and that intentional elite dopers are evading detection, damaging credibility.
  • Coe urged a pivot to intelligent, AI-enhanced testing and highlighted preparations for the inaugural Ultimate Championships in Budapest next September with a $10 million prize fund.