World champion Gudaf Tsegay serves four-month doping ban for Letrozole
Former two-time world champion Gudaf Tsegay has been suspended for four months after testing positive for a prohibited substance used to treat a medical condition.
The 29-year-old returned a positive out-of-competition test for a metabolite of Letrozole last December.
Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor primarily used in breast cancer treatment that helps lower estrogen levels.
The Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist promptly responded to the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in January with supporting medical documents explaining the prescription.
Retroactive exemption denied
World Athletics confirmed the prescribed treatment met international standard requirements for a therapeutic use exemption (TUE).
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) subsequently rejected the Ethiopian distance runner’s application for a retroactive exemption.
This led the former 5,000m and 10,000m world title holder to enter a formal case resolution agreement with both governing bodies.
Reduced sanction explained
An official statement confirmed a reduced suspension was applied under rules concerning no significant fault or negligence by the athlete.
The AIU noted that a four-month ban was “considered appropriate” under these specific regulatory guidelines.
This leniency reflects her prompt admission and the recognition that a TUE would have been granted had she requested it in advance.
Her period of ineligibility has been backdated to 1 June and will officially conclude on 30 September.
