Doping: Nigeria risk being stripped of Commonwealth Games women’s 4x100m gold

Nigeria may be stripped of the gold medal won in the women’s 4x100m at last month’s Commonwealth Games after a member of the relay quartet tested positive for a banned substance.

Grace Nwokocha crossed the line in an African record time of 42.10s to win gold for Nigeria in Birmingham after superlative runs by Tobi Amusan, Favour Ofili and Rosemary Chukwuma.

According to a source in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, World Anti-Doping Agency had already notified the Nigerian federation pending the confirmation for the B sample.

AFN president in an interview with The PUNCH said investigations were ongoing already, he also confirmed that the federation had been notified.

“The letter from the World Anti-Doping Agency just reached the federation today (Friday) and  we are shocked to hear this for the first time. We risk being stripped of the 4x100m Commonwealth Games gold we won in Birmingham,” Okowa said.

“But we will carry out our investigation. Although an athlete is responsible for anything that has to do with doping, this is not a good development for us.”

The development comes at the same time the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development launched the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) board.

After the disgrace of having over 10 athletes barred from competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare has continued to insist on water-tight testing before going into major competitions.

“Nigerian sports has overtime borne the unfortunate scars of anti-doping with the positive drug test results of some athletes and as such has put in place the required structure and policy that would enable the country to administer anti-doping in line with the international standards and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code requirements,” he said.

“This development has earned Nigeria commendation from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for her anti-doping drive, increased testings of athletes and the deliberate efforts being made to compete fairly and cleanly,” Dare said while inaugurating the anti-doping board.

Chairman of the board, Prof. Kenneth Anugweje, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the offer of the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“We would bring our wealth of experience and expertise to bear in preserving the integrity of the organisation by committing to a high standard of responsibility and objectivity in line with the WADA code,” Anugweje said.

Other members of the board are: John Oluwafemi Ayorinde, Mainasara Illo, Omolewa Abike Akinba, Olusegun Akinlotan, Emmanuel Omuku, and Godfrey Odigie while Fadeke Fadeyibi will serve as the secretary/CEO.