CWG: World Anti-doping agency to strip Nigeria off relay Gold medal for failing test

CWG: World Anti-doping agency to strip Nigeria off relay Gold medal for failing test

Nigeria’s women 4x100m look set to be stripped of the relay gold they won at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Birmingham, after an unnamed member of the quartet failed a doping test.

The gold winning team comprises Tobi Amusan, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili and Grace Nwokocha.

THECONSCIENCEng gathered that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria had been notified of the development by the World Anti-Doping Agency, as the confirmation of the B sample is still being awaited.

As a rule, the team would be stripped of the medal and the performance, if the athlete is not exonerated.

AFN president Tonobok Okowa confirmed the report to Newsmen.

He said the federation had begun 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 (CWG)gold we won in Birmingham,” Okowa told Newsmen.

“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.

This development comes days after young high jumper David Aya also failed a drugs test at last month’s World Athletics Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia.