By Victor Kanayo
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Nigerian athlete Grace Nwokocha over use of banned substance.
Heritage Times HT had reported that the g0old medal Nigerian women’s 4x100m won at the 2022 Commonwealth Games might be lost after one of them tested positive of banned substance.
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had been silent on the name, waiting for official communication.
However, AIU has now published Nwokocha’s name on the list of suspended athletes.
According to an information on the AIU website, “The AIU has provisionally suspended Nigerian runner, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Ostarine & Ligandrol) (Article 2.1 and Article 2.2).”
AIU rule states that any athlete suspected of using banned substance will be placed on provisional suspension pending the conclusion of investigations.
The AIU rules states, “In doping cases, a Provisional Suspension is mandatory under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules following an adverse analytical finding for any non-specified substance on the Prohibited List.
“A Provisional Suspension may be imposed in other doping cases depending on the nature and circumstances of the case in question.
“A Provisional Suspension imposed in a non-doping case does not in any way abrogate the presumption of innocence and it is not an early determination of guilt. Rather, it is an order made on a precautionary basis to safeguard the interests of the sport.”
AIU said the Nigerian athlete has already been informed of her provisional suspension.
Nwokocha ran the anchor leg as Nigeria won gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, breaking the African Record with a time of 42.10s.
