September 04, (THEWILL) – In a decision that will have grave ramifications for Nigeria’s recent magnificent sporting performances, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), has announced the temporary suspension of Nigerian sprinter Grace Nwokocha.
The 21-year-old athlete was part of the Nigerian team (including Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Tobi Amusan) that raced to gold in the 4x100m women’s relay event at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
The world organisation suspended her due to her alleged use of illegal substances. Nwokocha’s blood sample was identified to have contained ostarine and ligandrol, two anabolic substances that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibits for athletes.
In a statement announcing the suspension, AIU stated: “The AIU has provisionally suspended Nigerian runner, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Ostarine & Ligandrol) (Article 2.1 and Article 2.2).”
Athletes who are subject to provisional suspensions are temporarily barred from competition until a final decision is reached at a hearing held in accordance with WADA guidelines.
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The doping regulation declares that even if only one member of the team violates it, the entire performance is invalidated, raising the possibility that Nigeria’s Games gold medal and Nwokocha’s African record could be revoked.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
