Blessing Okagbare
Home Highlight Doping: Nigerian Olympics medalist, sprinter Blessing Okagbare, bags 10 years ban 
HighlightSportsTrending Story

Doping: Nigerian Olympics medalist, sprinter Blessing Okagbare, bags 10 years ban 

53

 

By Ajuma Edwina Ameh

 

Following her expulsion from last year’s Tokyo Olympics for doping violations, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Friday handed a 10-year ban to Nigeria’s 2008 Olympics long jump silver medalist, Blessing Okagbare.

 

Okagbare, who is also a sprinter, was given five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and five years for her refusal to co-operate with the AIU’s investigation into her case, a statement by AIU said.

 

The statement by AIU Head, Brett Clothier, said: “The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years.

 

“Five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and five years for her refusal to co-operate with the AIU’s investigation into her case.”

 

In January 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice had also identified Okagbare among the exhibits gathered against self-acclaimed kinesiologist and naturopathic doctor, Eric Lira, who provided performance-enhancing drugs to athletes who participated at the Tokyo Olympics.

 

“The sole arbitrator adjudicating the case concluded that the athlete’s use of multiple prohibited substances as part of an organised doping regimen in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic Games was egregious conduct that amounted to aggravating circumstances under the Rules thereby warranting an additional period of ineligibility on top of the standard four-year sanction.

 

“The sole arbitrator also recognised the AIU’s right to carry out investigations, including the imaging of electronic devices, and to impose sanctions when an athlete refuses to co-operate with an investigation and thereby frustrates the AIU’s ability to fulfil its mandate to protect the integrity of the sport of athletics.

 

“In this instance, the sole arbitrator concluded that the athlete’s refusal to cooperate had denied the AIU the opportunity to discover evidence of possible further rule violations by her as well possible violations of the rules by others, for which he imposed an additional sanction of five years.

 

“We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal; a ban of 10-year is a strong message against intentional and coordinated attempts to cheat at the very highest level of our sport. 

 

“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,” the statement said.

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

HighlightTrending Story

Ex-CBN Gov. Emefiele back to prison over unmet bail conditions, trial adjourned to January 2024

A former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has yet...

HighlightTrending Story

Senate President confirms Tinubu’s 2024 budget presentation Nov. 29

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has confirmed that President Bola Tinubu will on...

Highlight

Tinubu off to Dubai again for Climate Change Summit

President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday travel to Dubai, United Arab Emirates...

HighlightTrending Story

Beware of ATM card-swap fraudsters, EFCC alerts Nigerians

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted Nigerians to Automated...

HighlightTrending Story

FG pledges 5bn cubic feet of gas supply to domestic, export markets

The Federal Government has pledged five billion cubic feet of gas per...

HighlightTrending Story

Pres. Tinubu presents 2024 N26.1trn budget to joint session of NASS Nov. 29

President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday, November 29 present the 2024 budget...

AviationHighlight

FG to install detection screening equipment at five international airports

The Federal Government is to install customized explosive and narcotic detection screening...

EntertainmentTrending Story

OAU student hospitalized after 58-hour handwashing marathon attempt

A student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Osun State, Subair Enitan,...

Top StoryTrending Story

FG okays 2024 N27.5 trn budget estimates, presents it next week to NASS

Ahead of its presentation next week to the National Assembly, a N27.5...

HighlightOil & GasTrending Story

Pres. Tinubu reappoints Mele Kyari GCEO of NNPC Ltd, constitutes board

All the appointments take effect from December 1, 2023, according to a...

HighlightTrending Story

Tinubu swears in eight permanent secretaries ahead of FEC meeting

President Bola Tinubu on Monday sworn in eight newly appointed permanent secretaries...

EntertainmentTrending Story

My God will vindicate me.– Sheila, Davido’s aide, Israel’s estranged wife

Sheila, the estranged wife of Israel, an aide to music sensation, Davido,...

Highlight

CJN to judges: Don’t succumb to “mob mentality” in deciding cases

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has urged judges on...

EntertainmentHighlightTrending Story

“Tears of the Sun” album: Teni promises to make two fans millionaires

Nigerian music star, Teni, is making waves beyond her musical talents as...

AviationHighlightTrending Story

Air safety: Keyamo summons heads of aviation agencies

In a bid to address safety concerns in the nation’s aviation industry,...

HighlightTrending Story

FG to invest N800bn in six ports rehabilitation

In its bid to reduce the high turnaround times of vessels and...

Articles and OpinionTrending Story

OPEN LETTER TO FCT MINISTER, CHIEF NYESOM WIKE by Richard Akinnola II

Dear Hon minister, First, a disclosure. You may not know me but...

AviationHighlightTrending Story

Inclement weather: Airline diverts Lagos-Abuja flight to Asaba airport

Citing weather conditions, a local airline – United Nigeria Airline flight which...

HighlightWorld News

Attempted military putsch in Sierra Leone: Nationwide curfew imposed

A military armoury in Sierra Leone’s capital Freetown came under attack on...