ETHIOPIA’S TSEGAY HANDED FOUR-MONTH DOPING BAN OVER PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
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Agency Report
Former world champion Gudaf Tsegay has been suspended for four months after admitting an anti-doping rule violation involving a prohibited substance detected during an out-of-competition test, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) announced on Friday.
Tsegay, 29, one of Ethiopia’s most decorated distance runners, tested positive for a metabolite of Letrozole during a doping control conducted in December 2025.
The Ethiopian athlete won a bronze medal in the women’s 5,000 metres at the Tokyo Olympic Games and later secured world titles in both the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Letrozole is listed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as a prohibited substance under the category of aromatase inhibitors. The medication is commonly prescribed to lower estrogen levels and is used in the treatment of certain medical conditions, including breast cancer.
According to the AIU, Tsegay responded promptly after being informed of the adverse analytical finding in January 2026. She explained that the substance had been prescribed by medical professionals to treat a diagnosed health condition and submitted supporting medical records.
In February, the athlete applied for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), with World Athletics subsequently determining that her treatment satisfied WADA’s international criteria for such exemptions.
However, WADA declined to grant a retroactive TUE, resulting in an anti-doping rule violation despite the legitimacy of the underlying medical treatment.
Following discussions with anti-doping authorities, Tsegay entered into a case resolution agreement with WADA and the AIU.
In a statement, the AIU said the four-month sanction was considered appropriate under provisions relating to “no significant fault or negligence” by the athlete.
The body noted that the penalty reflected several mitigating factors, including Tsegay’s prompt admission of the violation, her cooperation throughout the investigation, the fact that the use of Letrozole met the international standards required for a Therapeutic Use Exemption, and the likelihood that she would have received approval had the exemption been sought before commencing treatment.
Tsegay’s suspension has been backdated to June 1, 2026, and will remain in effect until September 30, 2026.
The ban temporarily sidelines one of Ethiopia’s most accomplished middle- and long-distance runners. However, the reduced sanction reflects the conclusion by anti-doping authorities that the substance was used for a genuine medical purpose rather than to enhance performance.
The case highlights the importance of athletes obtaining the necessary Therapeutic Use Exemptions before using medications that contain substances prohibited under anti-doping regulations, even when prescribed for legitimate health conditions.
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