Nigeria set to lose 4x100m CWG gold medal over doping

Nigeria is at risk of losing the women’s 4x100m relay gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, after an unnamed member of the quartet failed a doping test.

Recall the team featuring Tobi Amusan, RoseMary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili and Grace Nwokocha, won gold with a new African record of 42.10s.

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

According to the rules, the team tand to bestripped of the medal and the performance, if the athlete is not exonerated.

AFN president Tonobok Okowa, who confirmed the incident, said the federation had begun an investigation of the matter and would make its position known.

He said, “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.

“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 offending athlete was howver not named by AFN boss, insisting 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.

Nigeria athletics has been engrossed in a doping crisis foilowing report of a a young high jumper David Aya also failing a drugs test at last month’s World Athletics Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia.