In October 2019 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of World Athletics (WA) has reported an anti-doping rule violation against the Ethiopian Athlete Berehanu Tsegu after his A and B samples tested positive for the prohibited substance Recombinant Erythropoietin (rhEPO). After notification a provisional suspension was ordered and the Athlete filed a statement in his defence.
In his submission the Athlete denied the intentional use of the substance and could not explain how it entered his system. He stated that he only had used supplements from his manager. As treatment for his medical condition he had used prescribed medication.
At first the Athlete requested for a hearing but in March 2020 the Athlete admitted the violation, waived his right for a hearing and accepted the sanction proposed by World Athletics.
Therefore the AIU decides on 17 March 2020 to impose a 4 year period of ineligibility on the Athlete starting on the date of the sample collection i.e. on 15 September 2019.
