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Nigeria Queen of the tracks, Blessing Okagbare desire of returning to the tracks may have been flung following her failure to upturn the suspension placed on her by World Athletics (WA) after failing an out-of-competition test.
The U.S.-based sprinter was thrown out of the Tokyo Olympics Games on the eve of the semifinals of the women’s 100m after testing positive for human growth hormone.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) revealed then that Okagbare failed an out-of-competition test taken on July 19. She appealed against the suspension immediately, insisting on seeing the result of her B Sample.
According to the Guardian, Okagbare, a medallist at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, was allegedly handed four-year ban after the result of her B Sample came out with the same result.
“Okagbare started her four-year ban long ago. It is just unfortunate Blessing Okagbare found herself in this mess. When the result of her A Sample came out, Okagbare had the option of accepting it, which could have seen her ban reduced to two or three years, but she insisted on her B Sample. I pity her though, but WA wants all athletes to compete and win clean. Okagbare’s ban may elapse before the Paris 2024 Olympics,,” a source close to World Athletics (WA) said.
Okagbare had won her heat on Friday (July 30) during the Olympic Games and was meant to compete in the women’s 100 metres semifinals the next day, when the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) officially announced her suspension in the morning.
“Okagbare began her four-year ban long ago. It is just regrettable Blessing Okagbare saw herself in this mess. When the result of her A Sample came out, Okagbare had the option of accepting it, which could have seen her ban reduced to two or three years, but she insisted on her B Sample. I pity her though, but WA wants all athletes to compete and win clean. Okagbare’s ban may elapse before the Paris 2024 Olympics,,” a source close to World Athletics (WA) reported.
Okagbare had obtained her heat on Friday (July 30) during the Olympic Games and competed in the women’s 100 metres semifinals the next day, when the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) officially made public her suspension in the morning.
