Tokyo Olympics: Athletics Federation Of Nigeria Says It’s Awaiting Relevant Details About Blessing Okagbare’s Suspension

By Edna Wande On Jul 31, 2021

Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) says it is in the process of obtaining relevant details about the provisional suspension of Nigeria’s track and field athlete, Blessing Okagbare.

The new development was disclosed in a statement by Tonobok Okowa, the federation’s President on Saturday in Tokyo, citing that after full clarifications a proper reaction would be issued.

MDB earlier reported that Nigeria’s sprint Queen, Blessing Okagbare is placed on provisional suspension from the Tokyo Olympics event.

Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed that Okagbare tested positive for a banned substance, Growth Hormone, after AIU collected the sample from the sprinter during an out-of-competition test on July 19.

Growth hormone (GH) is a small protein that is made by the pituitary gland and secreted into the bloodstream. GH production is controlled by a complex set of hormones produced in the hypothalamus of the brain and in the intestinal tract and pancreas.

It is a non-specified substance on 2021 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List as it reduces body fat, increases muscle mass and strength and helps in recovery, according to WADA.

Okowa expressed;

We have received with great shock the press release by the AIU, suspending Blessing Okagbare for a doping test violation. The Federation is now in the process of obtaining the relevant details of the announcement after which a full reaction will be issued.

Consequently, she will be excluded from participating in the 100 Metres semifinals in Tokyo on Saturday.

This is the another major blow to Nigerian Athletics at the Tokyo Olympics following the ban of 10 Nigerian athletes due to noncompliance with testing procedures by AFN.