Why Blessing Okagbare was disqualified from the Olympics – AIU

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare was suspended earlier from competing at the Tokyo Olympics semifinal event.

Blessing Okagbare, was provisionally suspended from the competition by The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), on Friday after an out-of- competition test came back positive for Human Growth Hormone, a prohibited substance.

The Nigeria’s track Queen was scheduled to compete in the semi-final of the Women’s 100 meters race this morning, but she will no longer compete at the game.

Here is the statement of The Athletics Integrity Unit in full:

“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 said in its statement.

“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.”