Top Nigerian Athlete Slammed With 10 Years Ban For Doping

• Nigeria’s 2008 long jump silver medalist Blessing Okagbare has been banned for 10 years for doping, the Athletics Integrity Unit announced on Friday, February 18
• Okagbare was expelled from the Tokyo Olympics last year before the women’s 100m semi-finals after testing positive for human growth hormone at an out-of-competition test
• The Sprinter has the right to appeal against the Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 30-days

Blessing Okagbare has been banned for 10 years by the Athletics Integrity Unit after the athlete failed a dope test.

Okagbare who won a silver medal for Nigeria at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, was expelled from the Tokyo Olympics last year before the women’s 100m semi-finals.

It was later confirmed that the Nigerian sprinter had tested positive for human growth hormone when an out-of-competition test was conducted in Slovakia on July 19, 2021.

According to the Punch, a statement by the AIU revealed the Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years.

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The Premium Times reports, Okagbare is banned for five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and five years for her refusal to cooperate with the AIU’s investigation into her case.

It is left to be seen if Okagbare will appeal the decision by the AIU as she has the right to appeal against the Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 30-days.

Social Media reacts to Okagbare’s Ten-year ban

Meanwhile, fans have reacted to Blessing Okagbare’s 10-year ban by the AIU on social media as many believe the sprinter’s career is over.

The Nigerian long-jumper and sprinter was on Friday, February 18, slammed with a ten-year ban for failing a dope test and refusing to cooperate with officials during the investigation.

Fans have now expressed their sadness over the incident.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported at 15, Peace Lekwot had the world at her feet following her impressive display at the Nigeria School Sports Federation (NSSF) World School Athletics Trial.

The competition was held at the Yaba College of Technology with the Kaduna-based teenager carting home two gold medals in a single day.

Being her first visit to Lagos, the Faith Academy student defied the odds to emerge champion in the long and high jumps of the girls’ event ahead of other athletes from 15 states that featured in the two-day championships.