Tokyo – Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been barred from the Olympics after failing a drug test, the first doping case of the Tokyo games track and field competition, officials said on Saturday.
The Athletics Integrity Unit said in a statement that Okagbare, who won her opening heat of the women’s 100m on Friday, had tested positive for human growth hormone.
The out-of-competition test was conducted on July 19, the AIU said. Okagbare was notified of the test results early on Saturday.
First doping story of #Tokyo2020 involving positive test. And it’s a big name in Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare. She’d already started 100m and was due to run in semi finals later today. Now suspended and will be scratched from start list. #Olympics pic.twitter.com/rWfGaZbARf
— Sonja McLaughlan (@Sonjamclaughlan) July 30, 2021
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Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Okagbare, 32, won her heat in 11.05sec on Friday.
Okagbare’s suspension is the latest twist in a troubled track and field campaign at the Olympics for Nigeria.
On Thursday, the AIU said 10 Nigerian athletes were among 18 competitors prevented from entering competition in Tokyo after failing to meet requirements for out-of-competition testing.
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Source: AFP
Picture: AFP
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