Nigerian sprinter, Blessing Okagbare has been handed a 10-year ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) following her expulsion from last year’s Tokyo Olympics for doping violations.
It would be recalled that the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) had in October 2021, pressed charges against Okagbare in relation to separate disciplinary matters. First, for the presence and use of multiple (two) prohibited substances (human Growth Hormone (hGH) and recombinant erythropoietin (EPO)) for which she had been provisionally suspended on 31 July 2021, the day on which she had been scheduled to participate in the semi-finals of the Tokyo 2020 women’s 100m.
It was concluded after trial that Okagbare’s use of multiple prohibited substances as part of an organised doping regimen in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic Games was lugubrious conduct that amounted to worsening circumstances under the Rules thereby warranting an additional period of ineligibility on top of the standard four-year sanction.
In a statement, AIU said the ban commences from July 31, 2021. “The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years”.
In part, a copy of the judgement read, “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.”
Regrettably, the ban may see the 33-year-old draw the curtains of her career in athletics. She has 30 days to appeal the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
