Chicago Marathon Champion Rita Jeptoo Tests Positive for Banned Substance

The sport of long-distance running suffered a major blow Friday as it was revealed that Kenyan marathoner Rita Jeptoo failed a doping test in September.

According to ESPN.com, the 33-year-old runner failed the test in the midst of her greatest career success. She is currently a two-time defending champion in both the Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon.

Jeptoo's agent, Federico Rosa, confirmed the failed test, but denies any knowledge regarding his client's potential involvement with performance-enhancing substances, per ESPN.com (h/t The Associated Press).

"We will legally go after the person or the people that convinced Rita to do this," Rosa said. "I am sorry for Rita."

According to Stefan Smith of Agence France-Presse Africa, Jeptoo claims that she has never taken banned substances:

Jeptoo currently leads the World Marathon Majors Series, which released a statement relating to the failed doping test. Per Larry Eder of RunBlogRun.com, a potential punishment has yet to be determined.

"

World Marathon Majors is disappointed to learn that Rita Jeptoo has apparently had an A test that proved positive for a banned substance under IAAF rules. ... At present there has been no decision in this case by the IAAF, including in relation to sanctions, and as a result WMM is unable to comment further until that determination has been made although in the circumstances it has been decided to postpone the WMM Awards Ceremony that was due to take place on November 2, 2014.

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Many others have expressed sadness in the wake of this news as well, including former Olympic runner Lornah Kiplagat:

This is far from an open-and-shut case since Jeptoo's "B" sample has yet to be tested, according to ESPN.com.

As things currently stand, though, the perception is that the accomplishments of one of the world's greatest female runners may very well be tainted.

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