World champion Gudaf Tsegay suspended four months for prohibited use…

Yesterday, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) formally announced that Ethiopian middle- and long-distance star, former women's 5,000 m and 10,000 m world champion Gudaf Tsegay tested positive for a Letrozole metabolite in an out-of-competition doping test,She was given a four-month suspension.。

She successfully proved the drug was used to treat a diagnosed medical condition, but because she failed to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in advance, she must still face sanction and will miss the main competitions of this season.

After the AIU announced the sanction, Gudaf also issued a statement:

“"To improve fertilityunder a doctor's prescriptionI took the medication; I am now pregnant and the pregnancy is progressing smoothly, and I look forward to returning to competition as soon as possible after giving birth."

According to the detailed notice released by the AIU, in an out-of-competition in-flight doping test conducted on December 5, 2025，Tsegay's sample was found to contain a Letrozole metabolite.Letrozole's primary effect in the human body is to lower estrogen levels, and it is strictly prohibited both in-competition and out-of-competition.

On January 26, 2026, the AIU formally notified Tsegay of a potential anti-doping rule violation (ADRV). Faced with the charge, Tsegay responded promptly the day after receiving the notice.

She explained to the AIU that her use of Letrozole was entirely under medical adviceto treat a diagnosed medical condition, and she simultaneously submitted supporting medical documentation and detailed medical evidence.

After providing the medical evidence, Tsegay formally submitted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) application on February 17, 2026. After rigorous review, WATUEC confirmed that Tsegay's treatment plan met the requirements of Article 4.2 of WADA's International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE).

Under Article 4.2, obtaining a TUE must meet the following three core conditions:

* The athlete can demonstrate that using the prohibited substance is necessary to treat the diagnosed condition;
* * There is no reasonable and permitted alternative treatment option;
* * The use of the prohibited substance would not produce any additional performance enhancement beyond restoring the athlete to normal health (i.e., it should not confer a competitive advantage).

Although Tsegay's actual medical condition and medication use fully met the substantive exemption criteria of Article 4.2, under procedural rules she was required to apply to WADA for a retrospective TUE under ISTUE Article 4.3 (i.e., to seek an exemption after the violation occurred). WADA ultimately denied the request for a retrospective TUE in this case.

Tsegay ultimately chose to reach a Case Resolution Agreement with the AIU and WADA, admitting violations of anti-doping rules Article 2.1 (presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in an athlete's sample) and Article 2.2 (the athlete's use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or prohibited method).

In light of Tsegay's specific circumstances, the AIU, in exercising its discretion and taking into account her degree of fault, considered a four-month period of ineligibility to be an appropriate sanction.

Tsegay's period of ineligibility officially begins on 1 June 2026 (the date she accepted the case resolution agreement) and runs until 30 September 2026.

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World champion Gudaf Tsegay suspended four months for prohibited use of medication