Nigerian boxer Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore, aged 22, has been provisionally suspended from the Paris 2024 Olympics due to a violation of anti-doping regulations, MySportDab reports.
The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced the suspension on Saturday, following an adverse analytical finding in a sample collected from Ogunsemilore.
The sample, taken in Paris on Thursday—just a day before the Olympic opening ceremony—returned a positive result for furosemide, a substance classified as a diuretic and masking agent by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
This finding was confirmed by a WADA-accredited laboratory.
According to the ITA, Ogunsemilore is now barred from competing, training, coaching, or participating in any Olympic-related activities until the issue is resolved.
The boxer, who competes in the under 60 kg category, was scheduled to make her Olympic debut on Monday.
Ogunsemilore has been notified of her provisional suspension and has the opportunity to contest it. She can request a review of her B sample and has the option to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Ogunsemilore’s suspension adds to a growing list of athletes facing doping-related issues at the Games. On Friday, the ITA revealed that Iraqi judoka Sajjad Sehen had tested positive for anabolic steroids.
Additionally, Dominican volleyball player Lisvel Eve Mejia has also been suspended for a positive test result for furosemide.
As the Paris Olympics progresses, the ITA remains vigilant in its efforts to uphold the integrity of the competition through rigorous anti-doping measures.
