By Akinwale Kasali
The quartet of Tobi Amusan, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili and Grace Nwokocha may lose their 4×100 Meters Relay Race Gold Medal at the just concluded 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom. A yet to be named member of the squad has, allegedly, failed a doping test.
If this is, finally true, after a second confirmation test, Nigeria stands to lose the Gold Medal and the record set will be discarded.
It was gathered that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria has been notified of the development by the World Anti-Doping Agency, as the confirmation of the B sample is still being awaited.
The report was confirmed by AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, and as the rule stipulates, if the failed doping confirms to be true, Nigeria would be stripped of the medal and the performance, if the athlete is not exonerated.
Okowa, however revealed that the Federation has began an investigation of the matter and would make its position known.
“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 declared
“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 AFN boss, however, declined to mention the name of the athlete involved, saying the AFN would make a public statement after concluding its investigation.
“No, I can’t disclose the identity of the athlete now because we need to confirm exactly what happened and conclude on our findings before making a public statement.
“The matter is still being investigated and it’s not yet confirmed. What we got is notification letter, so, that everybody concerned will be ready for their defence, “ AFN head coach, Seigha Porbeni added.
The loss of the Gold medal will be heartbreaking to Nigerians who had celebrated the girls’ feat to high heavens.
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