Nigerian female athlete, Blessing Okagbare has been banned 10 years for doping.
This development was announced by the Athletics Integrity Unit on Friday.
The 2008 long jump silver medalist who tested positive for human growth hormone at an out-of-competition test in Slovakia on July 19, was expelled from the Tokyo Olympics last year before the women’s 100m semi-finals, The Punch reports.
AIU said that the ban for the 33-year-old sprinter, commences from July 31, 2021 and,
According to an AIU statement, “The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years,”
In a copy of the judgement obtained by The PUNCH read in part, “For the reasons set out, The Tribunal:
“Finds the ADRVs contrary to Rules 2.1 and 2.2 ADR proved;
“Imposes a period of Ineligibility of five years concurrently on each of the Rule 2.1 and Rule 2.2 ADRVs;
“Finds that the Athlete failed to comply with the Demand and cooperate with the AIU investigation in breach of Rules 5.7.3 and 5.7.7 ADRV and imposes a consecutive period of Ineligibility of five years; and
“Therefore, imposes a total period of Ineligibility of ten years which commences on 31 July 2021.
“The Tribunal also orders that the Athlete’s results from and including 20 June 2021 are disqualified with all resulting consequences including forfeiture of any medals, titles, ranking points, and prize and appearance money.
“There is no order for costs.”
