Diribe Welteji, a 23-year-old Ethiopian middle-distance runner, has been handed a two-year suspension from competition due to a doping violation, as reported by German media outlet Bild. The International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) stated that this ban will be backdated, effective from July 8, 2025, to June 30, 2027.

According to reports, Welteji declined a routine doping test during her training season in February 2025 without valid justification. In a twist, it was indicated that her boyfriend intervened by turning away the testers who arrived at their door, claiming that the athlete was asleep. This incident has raised questions about the responsibilities and ethical considerations surrounding doping regulations in athletics.

The backdated ban is severe, as it nullifies all of Welteji's results after February 25, 2025, meaning she will lose all competitive achievements and personal bests from that period, including a silver medal won at the 2025 Indoor World Championships in Nanjing. Moreover, her personal record in the 1,500 meters will also be expunged from official rankings, impacting her career and future prospects significantly.