Russian Liliya Shobukhova, who was the second fastest women’s marathoner of all time before her three Chicago Marathon wins were stripped due to a doping suspension, had that ban reduced by seven months and is eligible to compete immediately.
Shobukhova, 37, provided “substantial assistance” in the fight against doping, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said in a press release, and her ban was reduced from three years, two months, to two years, seven months. That meant her ban ended Sunday.
“Shobukhova has been of substantial value in uncovering and investigating anti-doping rule violations committed by other individuals, including athlete support personnel,” WADA said in a press release. “WADA will refrain from providing further details as this information is confidential and could be used against other individuals implicated in the case.”
Shobukhova was retroactively banned in April 2014 due to abnormal levels on her biological passport, wiping out results since 2009.
The Russian won the Chicago Marathon three straight times from 2009 to 2011, the first man or woman to accomplish the feat. Her last title in Chicago came in 2 hours, 18 minutes, 20 seconds, making her the second fastest woman over 26.2 miles ever behind Brit Paula Radcliffe, who holds the three fastest times. Those wins and times were annulled.
Shobukhova also won the 2010 London Marathon (that win also annulled) but never finished better than sixth in three Olympic track and field races.
