Nigeria has seen a recent surge in the number of athletes being penalized for their involvement in drug-related activities. In 2021, the Commonwealth Games gold medalist in the 100 and 200 meters, Blessing Okagbare, was sentenced to a ten-year ban following a positive test for multiple drugs.
And just two weeks ago, former NCAA sprint champ Divine Oduduru was also banned for six years for drug-related infractions. Oduduru was convicted of possession and use or attempted use of multiple prohibited substances in the leadup to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), responsible for monitoring doping cases in track and field, has announced a three-year suspension for Nigerian sprinter Nsubechi Grace Nwokocha. This penalty stems from her positive test for two anabolic agents in a sample collected on August 3, 2022. The AIU revealed this decision, stating, “Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha (Nigeria) receives a 3-year ban, effective from August 3, 2022, due to the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Ostarine & Ligandrol). Disqualification of results since August 3, 2022.”
The AIU has banned Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha (Nigeria) for 3 years, from 3 August 2022, for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Ostarine & Ligandrol). DQ results since 3 August 2022.
Details here: https://t.co/ujl482eSoU pic.twitter.com/kDUtgRkitg
— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) October 27, 2023
According to the AIU, Nwokocha admitted to the violation and accepted the sanction. Consequently, her results from August 3, 2022, to September 2, 2022, including her Commonwealth Games gold medal, have been disqualified, according to Premium Times. Also, she won’t be able to compete in any events until August 3, 2025.
The AIU issued the following statement on their website:
“The Athlete agrees to be sanctioned with a period of Ineligibility of three (3) years; the Parties agree that taking into consideration the criteria in Rule 10.8.2 of the ADR, the period of Ineligibility shall commence on the date of Sample collection, i.e., 3 August 2022. Therefore, the period of Ineligibility shall be in effect until, and including, 2 August 2025; and in accordance with Rule 10.10 of the ADR (and to the extent that any results are not already disqualified by operation of the CGF Decision), the Athlete’s competitive results from 3 August 2022 until the date of the Provisional Suspension imposed by the AIU viz. 2 September 2022 are Disqualified with all resulting consequences, including forfeiture of any medals, points and prize money/prizes.”
With the AIU’s verdict, Nigeria has lost another one of its most valuable athletes in the form of Nwokocha, leaving the nation with a less formidable presence in the Olympic Games.
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