After failing a pre-tournament drug test, Blessing Okagbare will not compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The 32-year-old woman who finished first in her heat has been disqualified from the rest of the Games.
Okagbare’s samples were obtained four days before the event began, and the results were received after qualifying for the 100m semis.
The Athletics Integrity Unit has provisionally suspended Blessing Okagbare after he tested positive for a prohibited drug, according to Punch, Vanguard.
After her tests were obtained on July 19, four days before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics began, the 32-year-old tested positive for human growth hormone, according to the AIU.
The good results were announced on July 30, 2021, after Okagbare had won her heat and qualified for the 100m semi-final.
AIU’s statement
“The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria today with immediate effect after a sample collected from the sprinter tested positive for Human Growth Hormone.
“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 AIU collected the sample from Ms Okagbare during an out-of-competition test on 19 July.
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.
“The athlete was notified of the adverse analytical finding and of her provisional suspension this morning in Tokyo. She was scheduled to participate in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m this evening.
“The AIU will make no further comment on this matter at this time.”
On the 100m, 200m, relay, and long jump, Okagbare is one of Nigeria’s greatest medal possibilities at the Games.
Her disqualification will be a major setback for the squad, as Nigeria will be forced to rely solely on Grace Nkwocha, who ran a time of 11:00 seconds in the 100m.
Source: unitedshowbiz.com.gh