Ethiopian Runner Diribe Welteji Suspended from World Athletics Championships Over Doping Case

Ethiopian middle-distance runner Diribe Welteji, a silver medalist in the 1,500 meters at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, has been declared ineligible to compete at the 2025 World Athletics Championships due to a doping-related suspension. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) appealed a previous clearance by the Ethiopian Anti-Doping Authority regarding Welteji's alleged failure to submit a doping sample, leading the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to uphold the provisional suspension. This decision came just before the start of the championships in Tokyo, where Welteji was a top contender in the 1,500 meters event. The suspension highlights ongoing efforts to maintain integrity in athletics amid legal disputes over doping allegations. The case remains under adjudication, and Welteji's ineligibility will last until a final resolution is reached. This development is a significant setback for Ethiopian athletics, given Welteji's strong international rankings and recent successes.