- The Ethiopian marathon star has been handed a lengthy suspension following an anti-doping investigation
- Investigators raised questions about the medical document she submitted after a positive test
- The case includes separate penalties relating to a banned substance and alleged interference with the anti-doping process
Source: Getty Images
Ruti Aga, one of Ethiopia’s leading marathon runners, has received a six-year ban after anti-doping investigators rejected a prescription she submitted to explain a positive drug test. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced the decision on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
The 32-year-old athlete tested positive for methylprednisolone after winning a half-marathon in China in March 2026. She said the substance had been prescribed by a doctor in Ethiopia to treat knee pain. However, investigators questioned the authenticity of the medical document she provided.
Ruti Aga doping case raises questions over prescription
According to The Guardian, citing the Associated Press, the AIU found that the clinic named on the prescription did not exist. Investigators also established that the document had been signed by a family member who was not a registered doctor.
The AIU charged Aga with using the prohibited substance and tampering with the anti-doping process. The athlete did not respond to the charges, the organisation said.
Consequently, the ban was imposed without a hearing.
How the six-year athletics suspension was calculated
Aga received a two-year suspension for using methylprednisolone and an additional four years for tampering with the anti-doping process.
The combined penalties bring her total suspension to six years. The decision represents a significant setback for an athlete who had established herself among the leading competitors in international distance running.
Ruti Aga’s marathon career and achievements
Aga won the Tokyo Marathon in 2019 and has also reached the podium at the Berlin and New York marathons.
Her results placed her among the prominent names in women’s marathon running. However, the latest decision shifts attention from her achievements to the consequences of the anti-doping case.
The suspension highlights the importance of providing verifiable medical documentation when athletes seek to explain positive tests involving prohibited substances.
Source: Getty Images
Henri Schoeman opens up about a decade of online abuse
Briefly News also reported that South African triathlete Henri Schoeman spoke out on 21 October 2026 about the online abuse he endured following his 2016 victory at the World Triathlon Series Grand Final in Mexico.
Schoeman's victory came after British triathlete Jonny Brownlee collapsed near the finish, with his brother Alistair helping him across the line.
Source: Briefly News
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