The suspension by International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of top athlete, Blessing Okagbare, has dashed Nigeria’s chances of picking up medal at the Tokyo Games
Okagbare was due to run in the semifinal of the 100m track event on Saturday after winning her Friday heat with 11.05 seconds.
The ban was such a great news that it is the top trending topic from the Tokyo Olympics Games, even several hours after it was announced.
The Athletics Integrity Unit said the 32-year-old returned a positive result for human growth hormone following an out-of-competition test on July 19.
The Athletics Integrity Unit said in press statement that the 32-year-old Okugbare tested positive for a banned substance – human growth hormone.
The anti-doping body said Okagbare tested positive for the prohibited substance in an out-of-competition test on July 19 – four days before the Olympics opened.
The results of that test were only received by track and field’s anti-doping body late Friday.
According to the statement: “The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria today with immediate effect after a sample collected from the sprinter tested positive for human Growth Hormone.
“Growth Hormone is a non-specified substance on the 2021 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List and a provisional suspension is mandatory following an adverse analytical finding for such substance under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.
“The AIU collected the sample from Ms. Okagbare during an out-of-competition test on 19 July. The WADA-accredited laboratory that analysed the sample notified the AIU of the adverse analytical finding at mid-day Central European Time yesterday, Friday 30 July.
“The athlete was notified of the adverse analytical finding and of her provisional suspension this morning in Tokyo. She was scheduled to participate in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m this evening.
“The AIU will make no further comment on this matter at this time.”
With Nigeria blank on the medal table, Okagbare was one of the nation’s brightest chances of a medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Her suspension came days after the disqualification of 10 Nigerian athletes at the Olympic Games for not meeting the minimum testing requirements under Rule 15 governing the National Anti-Doping Federation.
The 10 affected by the ban include jumper Ruth Usoro, sprinter Favour Ofili, Chioma Onyekwere (discus), Annette Echikunwoke (hammer), Chidi Okezie (4X400m mixed relays), Knowledge Omovoh (4x100m women), Rosemary Chukwuma (100m), Glory Patrick (4X400m mixed relays), Yinka Ajayi (4X400m mixed relays) and Tima Godless (4X100m relays).
Reacting on the ban of the 10 field and track athletes, Okagbare had said: “I have said it before and I will say it again. If you do not know the sport, not passionate about it/us (the athletes), then you have no business there as an administrator. The sport system in Nigeria is so flawed and we athletes are always at the receiving end of the damages.
“They were busy fighting over power, exercising their pride over puma contract/kits forgetting their major responsibility “THE ATHLETES”. It’s sad that this cycle keeps repeating its self and some people will come out to say I am arrogant for speaking my truth. It is my CAREER.”
