Nigeria Athlete Blessing Okagbare has now reacted after the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) 10-year ban on her for doping, MySportDab reports.
In a shocking statement on Friday, the AIU announced that Blessing is now on a 10-year ban for breaching anti-doping rules.
The Athletics Association announced that Okagbare got banned for five years for using prohibited substances.
Also, she got another five years ban added making 10 years for not co-operating with the AIU investigation.
Head of the AIU, Brett Clothier said that a 10-year ban was to pass a strong message against doping.
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Okagbare won a silver medal for Nigeria at the 2008 Olympics and also medals in the 200m race and long jump.
Blessing Okagbare played for Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics for the women’s 100m race.
She missed the semi-finals after the AIU confirmed that she tested positive for using prohibited substances after a test on 19 July.
In October 2021, She denied all three anti-doping charges brought against her.
If this decision by the AIU is not overturned, this is the end of her career as an athlete.
In reaction to the 10 years doping ban, Blessing wrote on Twitter:
Now, Blessing Okagbare must respond and appeal the decision within 30 days at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
