The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) announced it is in the process of obtaining the relevant details of the announcement related to doping and provincial suspension of Nigeria’s track and field athlete, Blessing Okaagbare, who was supposed to compete at the 100 meters semifinal on Saturday.
This was disclosed in a statement by Tonobok Okowa, the federation’s President on Saturday in Tokyo, citing that after full clarifications a proper reaction would be issued
What the AFN said
“We have received with great shock the press release by the AIU, suspending Blessing Okagbare for a doping test violation.
“The Federation is now in the process of obtaining the relevant details of the announcement after which a full reaction will be issued,” Okowa stated.
Growth Hormone is a non-specified substance on the 2021 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List as it reduces body fat, increases muscle mass and strength and helps in recovery, according to WADA.
This is the second major blow to Nigerian Athletics at the Tokyo Olympics since the ban of 10 Nigerian athletes due to noncompliance with testing procedures by the AFN.
In case you missed it
Nairametrics reported earlier that Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare has been provincially suspended from the Tokyo Olympics event.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed that Okagbare tested positive for a banned substance, Growth Hormone, after the AIU collected the sample from Ms Okagbare during an out-of-competition test on 19 July. Consequently, she will be excluded from participating in the 100 Metres semifinals in Tokyo on Saturday.
The only hope for Nigeria winning a medal has been dashed. Okagbare’s disqualification in dying minutes of Tokyo Olympics 2020 has sentimental undertones. Athletics Federation of Nigeria still awaiting details before they react is an act of cowardice. 10 were initially disqualified. This gang up of injustice against Nigeria must be stopped.