Nigerian Sprinter Blessing Okagbare Banned 10 Years for Doping

By Derrick Bangura.

The Athletics Integrity Unit stated on Friday that Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria’s 2008 long jump silver medalist, has been banned for ten years for doping.

The 33-year-old, who is also a sprinter, was kicked out of last year’s Tokyo Olympics before the women’s 100m semi-finals after testing positive for human growth hormone during an out-of-competition test in Slovakia in July 19.
According to an AIU announcement, “the Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of ten years.”

“For the reasons mentioned out, The Tribunal: “Finds the ADRVs contradictory to Rules 2.1 and 2.2 ADR proven,” according to a copy of the judgment.

“Imposes a five-year period of ineligibility on each of Rule 2.1 and Rule 2.2 ADRVs at the same time;

“Finds that the Athlete violated Rules 5.7.3 and 5.7.7 ADRV by failing to comply with the Demand and cooperating with the AIU inquiry, and imposes a five-year consecutive period of ineligibility; and

“As a result, imposes a ten-year period of ineligibility, which begins on July 31, 2021.”
“The Tribunal also orders that the Athlete’s results from 20 June 2021 onwards be annulled, with all ramifications, including the confiscation of any medals, championships, ranking points, reward, and appearance money.”