Nigeria's Blessing Okagbare was suspended for doping, a few hours before the former world championships silver medalist was due to run in the 100M at the Olympics.
Okagbare was suspended after testing positive for human growth hormone in an out-of-competition test back in July 19. - four days prior to the official Olympic opening.
The results of that test only came back after Okagbare had already run in the 100M heats yesterday evening. The Nigerian won her heat in 11.05s and was due to run in the semi-finals this morning but was pulled from the event.
Okagbare’s suspension comes only three days after the Athletics Integrity Uni revealed that 10 track and field athletes from Nigeria who would not be allowed compete at the Games, as they did not meet did not meet anti-doping testing requirements in the lead-up to the Olympics.
Nigeria are considered a high-risk country by the AIU due to their lax anti-doping program. As a result, Nigerian athletes must have at least three out-of-competition tests in the 10 months before a major championship. This was not done for those 10 Nigerian track and field athletes.
Some Nigerian athletes who received the ban protested on the streets of Tokyo. They held up signs claiming the Nigerian sports and anti-doping authorities were responsible for them not meeting the testing criteria.
Ironically, Okagbare was one of the Nigerian athletes who took to Twitter to criticise.
They were busy fighting over power, Excercising their pride over puma contract/ kits forgetting their major responsibility "THE ATHLETES". It's sad that this cycle keeps repeating its self and some people will come out to say I am arrogant for speaking my truth. It is my CAREER❤
— Blessing Okagbare MFR (@mountain214) July 29, 2021
