By Victor Kanayo
As joy from the just concluded 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is yet to cease, Nigeria may have to forget about a gold medal it won in the women’s 4x100m relay event.
This is simply because a yet-to-be named member of that team failed a doping test afterwards.
The team comprises Tobi Amusan, Rosemary Chukwuma, Favour Ofili and Grace Nwokocha.
Investigation by Heritage Times HT revealed that the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had been notified of the latest development by the World Anti-Doping Agency, pending confirmation of the B sample being awaited.
As a rule, the team would be stripped of the medal and the performance, if the athlete is eventually found wanting.
This is happening days after a young Nigerian high jumper David Aya also failed a drug test at World Athletics Junior Championships held August in Cali, Colombia.
In the meantime, AFN leadership has said the federation had begun an investigation of the matter and would make its position known.
The Federation, however, declined to mention the name of the athlete involved, saying the AFN would make a public statement after concluding its investigation.
“The matter is still being investigated and it’s not yet confirmed. What we got is notification letter, so, that everybody concerned will be ready for their defence,“ AFN head coach Seigha Porbeni said.
Nigeria won 12 gold medals at the end of the Games and topped Africa’s performance, a development that earned the country the best ever outing in history.
