New Telegraph

Tokyo 2020: AIU suspends Okagbare

•AFN expresses ‘shock’

 

After a sample collected from the sprinter tested positive for human Growth Hormone, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AlU) has temporarily suspended Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria with immediate effect.

 

Growth Hormone is a nonspecified drug on the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List for 2021, and an adverse analytical test for such a substance under the World Athletics Anti- Doping Rules requires a provisional suspension.

 

“On July 19, the AlU took a sample from Ms. Okagbare during  an out-of-competition test. The AIU was alerted of the negative analytical finding by the WADAaccredited laboratory that analyzed the sample at midday Central European Time yesterday, Friday July 30.

 

“This morning in Tokyo, the athlete was informed of the negative analytical finding and her provisional suspension. She was supposed to compete in the women’s 100m semi-finals this evening.

 

“At this point, the AlU will not make any additional comments on the subject,” the Unit said in the released statement. However, the Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has expressed its ‘shock’ over the development. In a statement, the Federation’s President,

 

Tony Okowa said: “The Athletic Federation of Nigeria has received with great shock, the press release by the Athletics Integrity Unit, suspending Blessing Okagbare for a doping test violation.

 

“The Federation is in the process of obtaining the relevant details of the announcement after which a full react will be issued

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