Gudaf Tsegay, the Ethiopian distance runner who has claimed the world championship title twice, will sit out four months of competition after testing positive for a prohibited substance in an out-of-competition check.
The ban follows Tsegay's own admission regarding the presence of the substance in her sample. Out-of-competition testing is designed to catch athletes outside the scrutiny of race day, making her acknowledgment a significant part of how this case was resolved.
Four months is a relatively short ban in the world of athletics doping sanctions, which can stretch up to four years depending on the substance and circumstances involved. The details of exactly what substance was found have not been specified in the available information.
Tsegay built her reputation as one of the most formidable middle and long distance runners on the global circuit, so her return to competition will be closely watched by fans and officials alike.
Originally published by BBC Africa.