Background and career
Diribe Welteji Kejelcha (born 13 May 2002) is an Ethiopian middle-distance runner. She won the silver medal in the 1500 metres at the 2023 World Championships and placed fourth in the 800 metres at the 2022 World Championships.
At age 16, Welteji won the 800 m at the 2018 World U20 Championships, breaking the championship record in the process. She took silver for the 1500 metres at the 2021 World U20 Championships.
In February 2026, Welteji received a two-year ban in relation for failing to provide drug sample, without justification, the previous year. The Court of Arbitration for Sport backdated her ban to September 2025 and disqualified all results from 25 February 2025, including her silver medal in the 1500 m at the 2025 World Indoor Championships.
