Ruti Aga Receives Six-Year Doping and Tampering Ban

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has imposed a six-year suspension on Ethiopian marathon champion Ruti Aga for two anti-doping rule violations. Aga tested positive for the glucocorticoid methylprednisolone after winning the Meishan Renshou Half Marathon in China. An investigation showed the prescription she submitted was forged: the clinic named does not exist and the signature belonged to a family member who is not a registered medical practitioner. The AIU classified the case as a prohibited-substance violation (two-year ban) and a tampering violation (four-year ban). The sanction runs from the date of her provisional suspension on 10 September 2026 and bars her from competition until 10 September 2032. All results from 15 March 2026 onward are disqualified.

6-year ban for Ethiopian runner Ruti Aga for doping and tampering

Aga rose to prominence by winning the Tokyo Marathon on 3 March 2019 in 2:20:40. She has multiple podium finishes at World Marathon Majors, including silver medals at Berlin (2017, 2018) and Tokyo (2018) and bronze medals at Berlin (2016) and New York (2019). At the time of the positive test she was ranked 11th in the world with a personal best of 2:18:34 from the 2018 Berlin Marathon.

Ruti Aga given six-year ban by AIU

• 3 March 2019 – Wins Tokyo Marathon.

Ruti Aga given six-year ban by AIU

• 15 March 2026 – Tests positive for methylprednisolone after winning Meishan Renshou Half Marathon.

6-year ban for Ethiopian runner Ruti Aga for doping and tampering

• 21 April 2026 – Provides false information during an AIU interview.

6-year ban for Ethiopian runner Ruti Aga for doping and tampering

• 4 May 2026 – Submits forged prescription document.

Ruti Aga given six-year ban by AIU

• 10 September 2026 – Provisional suspension begins; AIU later announces six-year ban.

Fake clinic, forged signature: Tokyo Marathon winner Ruti Aga handed six-year ban

• 17 September 2026 – Media report confirms provisional suspension.

6-year ban for Ethiopian runner Ruti Aga for doping and tampering

• 10 September 2032 – Earliest date Aga may return to competition.

Fake clinic, forged signature: Tokyo Marathon winner Ruti Aga handed six-year ban

• Substance: Methylprednisolone – a glucocorticoid classified as Class S9 on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, banned in-competition.

6-year ban for Ethiopian runner Ruti Aga for doping and tampering

• Sanction breakdown: 2 years for presence/use of a prohibited substance; 4 years for tampering.

Ruti Aga given six-year ban by AIU

• World ranking at time of violation: 11th in women’s marathon.

Ruti Aga given six-year ban by AIU

• Disqualified results: All performances from 15 March 2026 onward, including the half-marathon victory.

Ruti Aga given six-year ban by AIU

The AIU added that the family member claimed to have used an old prescription pad, but the clinic confirmed the individual had never worked there and the document was not theirs. The AIU’s decision was issued without a hearing because Aga did not respond to the notice of charges.

Ruti Aga given six-year ban by AIU

• “We have made significant progress against doping in marathon running over the past six to seven years, but much remains to be done. Investigations are vital to uncovering doping and exposing false explanations. Protecting clean competition takes resources, but this case sends a clear message: attempts to cheat will be exposed,” — Chief Executive, AIU

6-year ban for Ethiopian runner Ruti Aga for doping and tampering

Aga’s six-year ban will remain in effect until 10 September 2032, and her results from 15 March 2026 onward will stay nullified. The AIU’s decision is appealable, but no further procedural steps have been announced.

Fake clinic, forged signature: Tokyo Marathon winner Ruti Aga handed six-year ban