Ugandan long-distance runner Prisca Chesang has been provisionally suspended following a positive test for the banned substance furosemide.
This revelation was made public by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the governing body responsible for ensuring fair play and integrity in athletics.
Chesang, aged 20, garnered recognition as a two-time medalist at the U20 World Championships in the women’s 5,000 meters, securing bronze in both the 2021 and 2022 editions of the championship.
However, her recent accolades have been overshadowed by the discovery of furosemide, a diuretic known for its potential to enhance performance and mask the presence of other banned substances during urine tests.
The diuretic, primarily used to increase urine production and eliminate excess water and salt from the body, is also associated with weight loss.
Its status as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been in place for several years due to its potential to compromise the fairness of athletic competition.
The positive test occurred during Chesang’s participation in the 2023 World Road Running Championships held in Riga, Latvia.
Despite her performance landing her in the 18th position in the mile race, the findings of the doping test have raised serious concerns regarding her athletic conduct.
This incident marks the second suspension of a female Ugandan runner by the AIU, following Janat Chemusto’s recent four-year ban due to the use of a banned substance.
Chesang, who previously represented Uganda at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the women’s 5,000 meters but failed to progress beyond the heats, now faces potential ramifications for her involvement in doping.
Chesang’s highest achievement in senior championships was securing seventh place at the 2023 World Cross Country Championships held in Bathurst, Australia.
And her contribution in Barthurst aided Uganda’s women’s team in clinching a commendable bronze medal.
As the investigation into the doping violation unfolds, this development raises questions about fair play, ethical conduct, and the prevalence of doping in international athletics, casting a shadow on the promising career of the young Ugandan athlete.
