Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Big Blow For Nigeria As Blessing Okagbare Is Suspended

Nigerian athlete, Blessing Okagbare, has been provisionally suspended from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.

According to a statement by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), “a sample collected from the sprinter tested positive for human Growth Hormone”.

The statement also noted that the AIU collected the sample from Okagbare during an out-of-competition test on July 19.

Growth Hormone is a non-specified substance on the 2021 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List and a provisional suspension is mandatory following an adverse analytical finding for such substance under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.

“The WADA-accredited Laboratory that analysed the sample notified the AIU of the adverse analytical finding at mid-day Central European Time yesterday, Friday 30 July.

Okagbare had been scheduled to run in the semifinals of the women’s 100 meters Saturday at the Olympics since she won her heat in 11.05 seconds. in the

The women’s 100 metres final is the last event on the Saturday track schedule of the Olympic Games.

Okagbare’s suspension is coming three days after the AIU disqualified 10 Nigerian athletes from competing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The disqualification according to the body was for not meeting the minimum testing requirements under Rule 15 governing National Anti-Doping Federation.

Furious Okagbare had in her reaction to the disqualification of the 10 athletes blamed Nigeria’s sports administrators.

According to her, “I have said it before and I will say it again. If you do not know the sport, not passionate about it/us (the athletes), then you have no business there as an administrator.

“The sport system in Nigeria is so flawed and we athletes are always at the receiving end of the damages.

“They were busy fighting over power, exercising their pride over puma contract/ kits forgetting their major responsibility “THE ATHLETES”.

“It’s sad that this cycle keeps repeating its self and some people will come out to say I am arrogant for speaking my truth. It is my career!”

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