Gudaf Tsegay has been handed a four-month ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for a metabolite following an out-of-competition test in December 2025.
The AIU said on Friday that the test detected the presence of the metabolite of Letrozole, which is an aromatase inhibitor used primarily in breast cancer treatment but can be used to block estrogen and counteract the side effects of anabolic steroids.
Letrozole is also a fertility drug that can stimulate ovulation by temporarily lowering estrogen levels.
Tsegay admitted the drug rule violation but said that Letrozole was prescribed for medical use. She submitted a Therapeutic Use Exemption application in February which met the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s exemption rule but she is still subject to a violation because the filed her exemption after the positive test.
According to the AIU, Letrozole is substance that prohibited at all times and the metabolite levels in Tsegay’s test violated Rule 2.1 and Rule 2.2 of World Athletics anti-doping guidelines.
Tsegay submitted medical documents and an explanation in January to the AIU detailing why the presence of Letrozole and any resulting metabolite would have triggered a positive test from her sample.
She later explained in a statement on Friday that in response to the AIU report, she confirmed that she was pregnant and took Letrozole as part of a doctor’s prescription.
“I took the letrozole supplement to improve my fertility, as prescribed by my Doctor,” Tsegay said, “Currently, my pregnancy is progressing perfectly, and I hope to return to sports as soon as my baby is born. Thank you to all the fans for your love, I miss you all. I also appreciate the understanding and support to me by AlU.”
Under a resolution agreement, Tsegay accepted the four month sanction and would see any competition results from December 5, 2025 be disqualified and she would have to forfeiture any medals, points and prize money from that point.
Tsegay is the current world record holder in the women’s 1,500m after posting a 3:53.09 in France in 2021 and the 2022 world champion in the 5,000m along with winning the world title in 2023 in the 10,000m.
Her suspension began on June 1, the date she accepted the resolution agreement, and will end on September 30.
