BREAKING: Nigerian Sprinter, Blessing Okagbare Banned For 10 Years, See Why

BREAKING: Nigerian Sprinter, Blessing Okagbare Banned For 10 Years, See Why

Nigerian sprinter, Blessing Okagbare has been handed a 10-year ban for doping.

The 33-year-old Okagbare was first provisionally suspended after failing a drug test at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday July 30.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), the independent body created by the World Athletics that manages all integrity issues for the sport, announced the decision.

According to the body, Okagbare tested positive for Human Growth Hormone.

“Growth Hormone is a non-specified substance on the 2021 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List and a provisional suspension is mandatory following an adverse analytical finding for such substance under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.

“The AIU collected the sample from Ms. Okagbare during an out-of-competition test on 19 July.

The WADA-accredited laboratory that analysed the sample notified the AIU of the adverse analytical finding at mid-day Central European Time yesterday, Friday 30 July.

“The athlete was notified of the adverse analytical finding and of her provisional suspension this morning in Tokyo. She was scheduled to participate in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m this evening.

“The AIU will make no further comment on this matter at this time.” the AIU said in the statement released in July.

Announcing her 10-year-ban on Friday, AIU said in a statement, “The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years, five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and five years for her refusal to co-operate with the AIU’s investigation into her case.

“We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal; a ban of 10-years is a strong message against intentional and co-ordinated attempts to cheat at the very highest level of our sport,” added Brett Clothier, head of the AIU.

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Okagbare won silver in the long jump at the Beijing 2008 Games, silver in the long jump at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, while also securing a bronze in the 200m at the same event.

She competed in the 100m heats in Tokyo on July 31 and was due to run in the semi-final before being suspended.

In February 2021, Guinness Book of World Records honoured Okagbare as the only athlete to have attended the Athletics Diamond Meetings 67 times, after she beat legendary Usain Bolt, the previous record holder.