Nigerian Champion, Blessing Okagbare Suspended In Tokyo Olympics Over Drugs

Nigerian sprint champion, Blessing Okagbare Ighoteguonor, has been suspended for doping at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics in Japan.

The Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU, made this known in a press statement on Saturday.

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 Okagbare during an out-of-competition test on July 19.

The WADA-accredited laboratory which analysed the sample notified the AIU of the adverse analytical finding at mid-day Central European Time on Friday.

AIU said that Okagbare tested positive for a banned substance – human growth hormone.

The anti-doping body said the 32-year-old tested positive for the prohibited substance in an out-of-competition test on July 19 – four days before the Olympics started.

The results of that test were only received by the track and field’s anti-doping body late Friday after Okagbare, who won her heat in 11.05seconds, qualified for the semifinals of women’s 100m race at the Tokyo Olympics.

Okagbare will no longer compete at the Tokyo Olympics following the suspension.

The statement read in part, “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.

“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 semifinals of the women’s 100m this evening.

“The AIU will make no further comment on this matter at this time.”

This is coming less than a few days after the AIU banned 10 other Nigerian athletes.

 

Sports News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 

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