Diribe Welteji, an Ethiopian middle-distance runner who has ranked among the best in women's athletics, received a two-year competition ban due to violations of anti-doping regulations. The incident occurred in February 2025 when doping officials attempted to collect a sample from her at her home; Welteji was asleep, and her husband prevented the officials from entering. Although Welteji had previously been cleared of allegations by the Ethiopian Anti-Doping Organization, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

On Thursday, the CAS ruled that Welteji must serve a two-year competition ban despite having committed the doping violation unintentionally. The CAS noted Welteji's track record of having passed eight doping tests taken outside of competition, which further suggests that the violation was not part of a systematic doping regime. This ruling has raised discussions about the balance between rigorous anti-doping enforcement and the individual rights of athletes who may inadvertently breach these regulations.

The case highlights the complexities involved in doping violations and the strict measures put in place by international athletics governing bodies. While the AIU sought a harsher four-year ban, the reduction granted by CAS reflects a more lenient approach recognizing Welteji's previous clean record. This situation may prompt further scrutiny and debate within the athletics community regarding anti-doping policies and their enforcement across global sporting events.