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Tag: AIU

  • 10-year ban: AFN declines comment over Okagbare’s fate

    10-year ban: AFN declines comment over Okagbare’s fate

    The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) says it will not comment on the 10-year ban slammed on Blessing Okagbare by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) until after the next meeting of the federation.

    Chairman of the AFN, Tonobok Okowa, said on Thursday in Asaba that the federation would await the outcome of its next meeting before making its stance known.

    The chair, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Jovial Agbagwu, told NAN that at the appropriate time, the AFN would make an official statement on the Okagbare ban.

    “For now, there is no official statement from the chairman of the AFN over the ban placed on Blessing Okagbare by the AIU.

    “Before now, many media outlets have sought the reaction of the AFN chairman, Chief Tonobok Okowa over the matter.

    “But he told them that he would not speak on the matter for now, not until the AFN meets to review the whole matter surrounding the ban,” Agbagwu said.

    Okowa is also the Chairman of the Delta State Sports Commission, Okagbare’s home state.

  • DOPING: Blessing Okagbare reacts to 10-year ban

    DOPING: Blessing Okagbare reacts to 10-year ban

    Nigerian Sprinter, Blessing Okagbare, has reacted to her 10 years ban by the Athletics Integrity Unit, AIU, saying her lawyers are currently studying it for the next line of action.

    According to AIU statement on Friday, Okagbare was banned for violating anti doping rules and drug related offences during last year’s Tokyo Olympics.

    In her post on Twitter, she said “My attention has been drawn to the statement issued by the AIU regarding its disciplinary panel decision.
    “My lawyers are currently studying it for our next line of action which we will inform you soon.”

    Okagbare, who has an Olympic silver medal in the long jump from the 2008 Beijing Games, was provisionally suspended before the 100 metres semi-finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics last year.

    The AIU statement explained that the sole arbitrator adjudicating the case concluded that Okagbare’s “use of multiple prohibited substances” was “part of an organised doping regimen in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games.”

  • Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare banned for 10 years

    Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare banned for 10 years

    Sprinter Blessing Okagbare who was suspended for violating anti doping rules and drug related offences during last year’s Tokyo Olympics has been finally banned by Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU)

    Okagbare, who has an Olympic silver medal in the long jump from the 2008 Beijing Games, was provisionally suspended before the 100 metres semi-finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics last year.

    An AIU statement said the sole arbitrator adjudicating the case concluded that Okagbare’s “use of multiple prohibited substances” was “part of an organised doping regimen in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games.”

    This “egregious conduct” led to an increase in the normal four-year sanction.

    The 33-year-old, who denied all charges, was given a five-year ban for returning doping tests positive for EPO as well as Human Growth Hormone.

    She was then handed an additional five-year ban for refusing to cooperate with an AIU investigation.

    “We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal. A ban of 10 years is a strong message against intentional and coordinated attempts to cheat at the very highest level of our sport,” said AIU chief Brett Clothier.

    “This is an outcome that was driven by our intelligence-led target testing as well as our commitment to investigate the circumstances behind a positive test.”

    Okagbare had denied using drugs to spike her system at the Tokyo Olympic games.