Tesfay has run two 1:03 half marathons -- one in 2024 and one in 2025.
By comparison, Ethan Shuley's half marathon PR before he ran 2:11:30 last fall was 1:03:06.
The argument that Tesfay's progression is unprecedented or bizarre is not persuasive.
As for the Barcelona marathon course, the winning men's time in 2025 was 2:04:13. It seems to be a rather fast course -- perhaps faster than London.
I am not naive. I understand that many--maybe all--elite long distance runners are using PEDs. I assume many--maybe all--are micro-dosing EPO and perhaps other substances. But all elite runners are subject to the same rules. Ms. Tesfay will have to take the same drug tests as Hoey, Wanyonyi, Kiplimo, Hasan, Kipyegon, etc. My point is simply that she should not be held to a higher standard than everyone else.
Coincidentally, she has the same agent as Wanyonyi.
Like Tesfay, Wanyonyi has never failed a drug test.
But not the Kenyans. In 2023 Kenyan President William Ruto made a high-profile commitment, he promised to invest $5 million USD annually (totaling $25 million over five years) to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya. In September 2024, following mass youth-led protests against tax increases (the "Gen Z protests"), the Kenyan government was forced to withdraw its 2024 Finance Bill. As a result the investment was reduced to just $155,000 USD, barely enough to pay staff salaries, let alone conduct testing.
This time was not run at Chicago, Berlin or London. We're talking about Barcelona where the previous fastest women's time was 2:19:33. An almost 9 minute improvement, are you kidding me?
And we're not talking about a freak talent, we are talking about a journey woman with good but not amazing track times, and who was running her debut marathon.
I don't see the progression (even Ruth had a few attempts before she ramped up the PEDs to run that fake WR).
Tesfay has run two 1:03 half marathons -- one in 2024 and one in 2025.
By comparison, Ethan Shuley's half marathon PR before he ran 2:11:30 last fall was 1:03:06.
The argument that Tesfay's progression is unprecedented or bizarre is not persuasive.
As for the Barcelona marathon course, the winning men's time in 2025 was 2:04:13. It seems to be a rather fast course -- perhaps faster than London.
I am not naive. I understand that many--maybe all--elite long distance runners are using PEDs. I assume many--maybe all--are micro-dosing EPO and perhaps other substances. But all elite runners are subject to the same rules. Ms. Tesfay will have to take the same drug tests as Hoey, Wanyonyi, Kiplimo, Hasan, Kipyegon, etc. My point is simply that she should not be held to a higher standard than everyone else.
I get your point, however, we held Ruth to that same standard (some begrudgingly), and 6 months later or whatever it was, she was banned from the sport. Why make the same mistake? It is on Tesfay to prove to us otherwise, through repeated wins and fast times and years of clean tests. Happy to change my mind then.
Of course shw switched to Gemedu for Paris Olympics, since he’s the ego-lord of thw Ethiopian federation. The drama around him seeking attention and money at the Olympics was insane. Both Gudaf Tsegay and Fotyen Tesfay started with Messebo Club. Top 3 agencies recruit from that club are real clean sport bangers:
Her listed agent Monica Pont Chafer is listed as part of Demadonna Athletics Promotions team which unfortunately has the connection to dopers such as Diana Kipyokei, Betty Wilson Lempus, Fantu Eticha Jimma, Norah Jeruto (later cleared I think?), with some EXCEPTIONAL bad luck: “We didn’t have athletes for many, many years under doping and in the last year I had five athletes. Women.” -Demadonna
this sport is cooked. Its impossible to test everybody
I notice how all the unsubstantiated doping allegations here are perfectly fine and not deleted. Contrast that with the Elle St Peirre dropping out of worlds post where any suspicion that she may be dirty gets deleted. Why is one allowed and not the other? Who gets to decide who's performance/times/behavior/recovery warrants scrutiny and can be discussed?
Tesfay has run two 1:03 half marathons -- one in 2024 and one in 2025.
By comparison, Ethan Shuley's half marathon PR before he ran 2:11:30 last fall was 1:03:06.
The argument that Tesfay's progression is unprecedented or bizarre is not persuasive.
As for the Barcelona marathon course, the winning men's time in 2025 was 2:04:13. It seems to be a rather fast course -- perhaps faster than London.
I am not naive. I understand that many--maybe all--elite long distance runners are using PEDs. I assume many--maybe all--are micro-dosing EPO and perhaps other substances. But all elite runners are subject to the same rules. Ms. Tesfay will have to take the same drug tests as Hoey, Wanyonyi, Kiplimo, Hasan, Kipyegon, etc. My point is simply that she should not be held to a higher standard than everyone else.
I get your point, however, we held Ruth to that same standard (some begrudgingly), and 6 months later or whatever it was, she was banned from the sport. Why make the same mistake? It is on Tesfay to prove to us otherwise, through repeated wins and fast times and years of clean tests. Happy to change my mind then.
OK then let's hold everyone else to the same standard. Guilty til presumed innocent!
Her listed agent Monica Pont Chafer is listed as part of Demadonna Athletics Promotions team which unfortunately has the connection to dopers such as Diana Kipyokei, Betty Wilson Lempus, Fantu Eticha Jimma, Norah Jeruto (later cleared I think?), with some EXCEPTIONAL bad luck: “We didn’t have athletes for many, many years under doping and in the last year I had five athletes. Women.” -Demadonna
this sport is cooked. Its impossible to test everybody
Monica Pont and Eric Lilot split off from Demadonna and have their own agency.
So if she’s clean, doped she’s worth 2:07? keep dreaming. Fans have so little faith in these nonsensical times this result only achieved fairly muted interest at best. The money should be kept in trust for a year. Easier to get it back.
So if she’s clean, doped she’s worth 2:07? keep dreaming. Fans have so little faith in these nonsensical times this result only achieved fairly muted interest at best. The money should be kept in trust for a year. Easier to get it back.
You must be working for the pharma drug cartel, to be posting such nonsense.
Her listed agent Monica Pont Chafer is listed as part of Demadonna Athletics Promotions team which unfortunately has the connection to dopers such as Diana Kipyokei, Betty Wilson Lempus, Fantu Eticha Jimma, Norah Jeruto (later cleared I think?), with some EXCEPTIONAL bad luck: “We didn’t have athletes for many, many years under doping and in the last year I had five athletes. Women.” -Demadonna
this sport is cooked. Its impossible to test everybody
Ms. Tesfay will have to take the same drug tests as Hoey, Wanyonyi, Kiplimo, Hasan, Kipyegon, etc.
No she doesn't. Now, as a marathoner competing as little as 2 times a year, she will take far fewer in competition tests than the athletes you mention.