The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced the disqualification of Ethiopian runner Diribe Weltzhe for failing to provide a doping sample in February 2025. This sanction will take effect from July 8, 2025, and will last until June 30, 2027.
According to the court's decision, Weltzhe's results achieved after February 25, 2025, will be annulled. This includes her silver medal in the 1500 meters at the indoor world championship held in Nanjing. However, it is worth noting that the athlete retains the silver she won at the outdoor world championship in 2023.
During the proceedings, it was established that Weltzhe's actions were not intentional, but she failed to provide sufficient explanations for her absence during the doping control. Initially, the Ethiopian National Anti-Doping Agency (ETH-NADO) found no violations; however, World Athletics appealed this decision to the CAS, demanding a four-year ban.
The athlete will be able to return to international competitions in the summer of 2027, which will give her a chance to qualify for the world championship in Beijing.
