Doping: Athletics Unit ban Nigerian athlete, Blessing Okagbare for 10 years

The former Olympic medalist failed a doping test.

Nigerian sprinter and Olympics silver medalist, Blessing Okagbare has been banned for 10 years by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for doping.

The news of the ban was confirmed by a statement released by the unit on Friday.

Not long ago, the 33-year-old athlete was expelled from the Tokyo Olympics last year, just before the women’s 100m semi-finals after testing positive for human growth hormone at a competition in Slovakia on July 19.

Although Okagbare had denied the allegations, further investigations have revealed otherwise, hence her subsequent ban from athletics.

“The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years,” a statement by the AIU reads.

As reported by The Punch, the copy of the judgement reads: “For the reasons set out, The Tribunal:

“Finds the ADRVs contrary to Rules 2.1 and 2.2 ADR proved;

“Imposes a period of Ineligibility of five years concurrently on each of the Rule 2.1 and Rule 2.2 ADRVs;

“Finds that the Athlete failed to comply with the Demand and cooperate with the AIU investigation in breach of Rules 5.7.3 and 5.7.7 ADRV and imposes a consecutive period of Ineligibility of five years; and

“Therefore, imposes a total period of Ineligibility of ten years which commences on 31 July 2021.

“The Tribunal also orders that the Athlete’s results from and including 20 June 2021 are disqualified with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, titles, ranking points, and prize and appearance money.

“There is no order for costs.”

Okagbare won the silver medal for the long jump at the 2008 Olympics and has represented Nigeria at many athletics competitions.