Nigerian sprinter Divine Oduduru has been handed a six-year ban for committing two Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), as announced by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). The violations in question include the possession of prohibited substances and the attempted use of a prohibited substance or method. Additionally, Oduduru has been ordered to pay World Athletics $3,000 to cover their expenses in the case.
The AIU emphasized the presence of “overwhelming evidence” against Oduduru and expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the case, highlighting the grave nature of the offenses and the evident collaboration between athletes and others in deliberate efforts to compromise the integrity of high-level athletics.
Oduduru’s provisional suspension began on February 9, 2023. The case emerged when U.S. prosecutors charged therapist Eric Lira with supplying performance-enhancing drugs to athletes during the Tokyo Olympics.
Oduduru’s teammate, Blessing Okagbare, had also received an 11-year ban for doping violations in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics and for failing to cooperate with the investigation. Evidence against Okagbare included text and voice messages on her phone, reviewed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon her return to the United States, that indicated her involvement with Lira.
The AIU is committed to exposing doping violations and the extent of related networks, often working closely with other investigative organizations. Their efforts were supported by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the United States Department of Justice, whose legal reach provided essential evidence for this case and the case against Blessing Okagbare.
Despite Oduduru’s persistent claims of innocence, the AIU cited significant evidence against him. This evidence included WhatsApp messages between Okagbare and Lira, where Okagbare solicited prohibited substances on behalf of Oduduru. Additionally, photographic evidence revealed multiple prohibited substances in Oduduru’s Florida apartment, including human growth hormone (Somatropin), synthetic Insulin Growth Factor (IGF LR3), and erythropoietin (EPO).
Oduduru, 27, had achieved notable times in sprinting, with his fastest times being 9.86 seconds in the 100 meters and 19.73 seconds in the 200 meters. However, he was disqualified in the 100m heats at the Tokyo Olympics, and he reached the 200m semi-finals. The ban now marks a significant setback in his athletic career.
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