Ruti Aga banned for six years over doping and tampering

Ethiopian marathon runner Ruti Aga has received a six-year ban from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) following a failed drug test and subsequent attempts to mislead investigators.

Aga tested positive for methylprednisolone, a banned glucocorticoid, after winning the Meishan Renshou half marathon in China in March 2026. While the athlete claimed the substance was prescribed by a doctor in Ethiopia to treat a knee injury, investigations revealed that the medical clinic listed on her documentation does not exist. Furthermore, the AIU determined that the prescription was signed by a family member who is not a registered medical professional.

The total suspension consists of a two-year ban for the use of a prohibited substance and an additional four-year ban for tampering with the anti-doping process. The 32-year-old, a former Tokyo Marathon winner and multiple World Marathon Majors podium finisher, failed to respond to the charges, resulting in the ban being issued without a hearing. The suspension is effective from September 10, 2026.