The former World Champion on 1,500 meters, Abeba Aregawi, is back in the Swedish national team line-up when she runs 5,000 meters in the Finnkampen, which concludes on Sunday.
The 35-year-old is chasing a time under the International Athletics Federation's direct qualification limit of 14:50 to the World Championship in Tokyo in September. On Friday, Aregawi ran a 15:15.88 in the Brussels Diamond League gala.
Many are wondering how Aregawi will perform in the chilly conditions at Stockholm Stadium, but also how she will be received by the home crowd and her national team teammates.
She is a part of the team, so of course, we will welcome her with open arms and cheer each other on to the best results, says long jumper Khaddi Sagnia.
"Have no idea"
Aregawi, born and living in Ethiopia, has not represented Sweden in the Finnkampen since 2015. The following year, she tested positive for the banned substance meldonium, was acquitted, but then disappeared from the athletics scene and has since had four children.
Besides the meldonium scandal, which involved several international sports stars, there have been several controversies surrounding Aregawi over the years. But this is something Sagnia does not want to comment on.
I have no idea about that, actually. I have no information about it, so I cannot comment on it, she says and adds:
If she is a part of the team, it means that Kajsa (Bergqvist, national team captain) and everyone has included her in the team. For us, it's just about welcoming everyone who is on the team, lifting each other up, and making sure everyone performs maximally.
"Not convicted, so..."
Runner Andreas Almgren, who has several times spoken out against doping, has not thought much about Aregawi's situation.
I have honestly not reflected much on it. I have not fully informed myself about the situation. But I know about the meldonium thing, and that she was acquitted of it. If she is not convicted, so..., he says and continues:
I hope she is well received.
The women's 5,000 meters event starts at 14:15. Ahead of Sunday's Finnkampen conclusion, the Swedish women lead with 143.5 points against the Finnish women's 105.5 points. The Swedish men lead with 137 points against 111 points.
Finland won both matches in Helsinki last year.
December 10, 2012: The International Athletics Federation gives the green light for Abeba Aregawi to start competing for Sweden instead of her home country Ethiopia. A few months earlier, she – who came to Sweden in 2009 – finished fifth in the Olympic final on 1,500 meters, a placement that eventually became second and silver after doping disqualifications for several competitors. The main reason for choosing Sweden was her then-marriage to Henok Weldegebriel.
August 15, 2013: Aregawi takes her first global championship gold when the 23-year-old wins the women's World Championship final on 1,500 meters at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
March 4, 2014: Three days before the indoor World Championship in Sopot, Expressen reveals that Aregawi and Weldgebriel have divorced, already in May 2013. Aregawi denies in June 2025 that it was a sham marriage.
March 8, 2014: Four days after Expressen's revelation, Aregawi takes her second consecutive World Championship gold on 1,500 meters.
February 29, 2016: The news that Abeba Aregawi has been tested positive for meldonium breaks. The 25-year-old is one in a series of sports stars who are caught with elevated levels of the recently banned substance by the International Anti-Doping Organization Wada.
March 1, 2016: Aregawi's athletics club Hammarby breaks with her.
July 14, 2016: Aregawi is acquitted as the levels of meldonium were within the limit values. The doping commission withdraws its complaint, and she is free to compete for Sweden again – but is later not selected for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
March 9, 2025: After living outside the public eye in Ethiopia for several years, and having four children, Aregawi runs a 1:06:36 in the Lisbon half-marathon. The time is a Swedish record, but is later erased because Aregawi did not report for doping control at least six months before the competition.
August 22, 2025: Aregawi makes a comeback on the big athletics arenas, on 5,000 meters in the Brussels Diamond League gala. In world-class competition, she finishes last, in 16th place, among those who complete the race. The time 15:15.88 is over 25 seconds from the World Championship qualification limit to Tokyo.
August 24, 2025: Aregawi competes on 5,000 meters in the Finnkampen at Stockholm Stadium. The event starts at 14:15.
