Despite Doping Concerns Ethiopia Finished Second on the Portland Oregon Indoor Championship

Ethiopia, one of five countries under the watchful eye of the IAAF over concern for their drug-testing systems, dominated the long races to finish second at the world indoor championships that ended on Sunday. Led by world record holder Genzeba Dibaba, the African nation swept the top two spots in the women's 3,000 metres and claimed gold in the men's 3,000m on Sunday. The strong showing came a day after Ethiopian-born athletes took the first four places in the women's 1,500m.

"I think it is the altitude and hard training," Dibaba told Reuters when asked why Ethiopian men and women are so impressive in the distance events.

Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, Ukraine and Belarus have been identified by IAAF president Sebastian Coe as countries in need of "critical care" because of their drug-test systems. "Ethiopia and Morocco -- as a matter of urgency -- need a robust testing program put in place," Coe said. "Kenya, Ukraine and Belarus need to get compliant by the end of the year." The countries are in no immediate danger of being banned from athletics and missing the Olympics, Coe said.

But six Ethiopian athletes are being investigated for doping, officials have said. Ethiopian-born Swede Abeba Aregawi, a former world indoor champion, also has been banned for a positive doping test. "Doping is not good news for athletes," said Dibaba, who outran countrywoman Meseret Defar for the 3,000m title. Yomif Kejelcha gave Ethiopia their other gold of the day, defeating American Ryan Hill and Kenyan Augustine Choge in the men's 3,000m. On Saturday, Dutch runner Sifan Hassan, who was born in Ethiopia, led former countrywomen Dawit Seyaum, Gudaf Tsegay and Axumawit Embaye in the women's 1,500m.
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