She was initially awarded the gold medal in the steeplechase at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, improving from her runner-up placing in 2009. Zaripova began 2012 with a win at the Volgograd 10K in May. She was awarded the gold medal in the 3000 m steeplechase at the 2012 Summer Olympics in a new personal best time of 9:06.72 but was later disqualified for doping charges.