Ethiopian marathon runner Ruti Aga has been suspended from competition for six years after the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) uncovered a fraudulent medical document submitted to explain an anti-doping violation, the AIU announced on Thursday. The 32-year-old, who won the Tokyo Marathon in 2019, was sanctioned after testing positive for a prohibited substance and attempting to mislead investigators with fabricated evidence.
The case originated from an anti-doping test conducted after Aga won the Meishan Renshou Half Marathon in China on March 15, 2026. Her sample was found to contain methylprednisolone, a corticosteroid that is prohibited during competition under anti-doping regulations. While the medication has legitimate medical uses, including the treatment of inflammatory conditions, its use by athletes is tightly restricted and must comply with specified therapeutic-use conditions.
Aga claimed the substance had been administered to treat a knee injury. However, the AIU’s investigation uncovered serious inconsistencies in the prescription she provided to support her explanation. According to investigators, the medical facility named on the document did not exist, and the individual who supposedly prescribed the medication was a family member without the required medical registration. The findings raised immediate red flags about the authenticity of her defense.
The investigation further revealed that Aga had supplied misleading information during an interview with anti-doping officials before submitting the disputed prescription. These actions resulted in an additional charge relating to tampering with the doping-control process, a serious offense under the World Anti-Doping Code.
The AIU imposed a two-year suspension for the prohibited substance violation and a further four years for tampering, bringing the total penalty to six years. Reports indicate that Aga did not respond to the charges, and the sanction was consequently imposed without a hearing. The suspension was backdated to September 10, 2026, meaning she will be eligible to return to competition no earlier than 2032, by which time she will be 38 years old.
AIU chief executive Brett Clothier commented on the case, stating that it demonstrated the importance of thorough investigations in identifying doping violations and challenging explanations that cannot be substantiated. He emphasized that protecting fair competition requires sustained efforts and adequate resources, adding that attempts to undermine the anti-doping process would be exposed. Clothier’s remarks underscored the AIU’s determination to pursue cases involving not only prohibited substances but also efforts to deceive investigators.
Aga has established herself as a prominent figure in international distance running. In addition to her 2019 Tokyo Marathon victory, she has secured multiple podium finishes at major marathon events, including competitions in Berlin and New York. Her results have placed her among Ethiopia’s notable marathon performers in recent years, and her suspension represents a significant loss for the sport in a country renowned for its distance-running excellence.
