JUST IN: Nigerian Sprinter Blessing Okagbare Banned For 10 Years Over Doping

JUST IN: Nigerian Sprinter Blessing Okagbare Banned For 10 Years Over Doping

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been banned for 10 years for doping in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics.

The 33-year-old, who is also a sprinter, was expelled from the Tokyo Olympics last year before the women’s 100m semi-finals after testing positive for human growth hormone at an out-of-competition test in Slovakia on July 19.

An AIU statement said the sole arbitrator adjudicating the case concluded that Okagbare’s “use of multiple prohibited substances” was “part of an organised doping regimen in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games.”

This “egregious conduct” led to an increase in the normal four-year sanction.

Okagbare denied all charges, was given a five-year ban for returning doping tests positive for EPO as well as Human Growth Hormone.

She was then handed an additional five-year ban for refusing to cooperate with an AIU investigation.

“We welcome the decision of the Disciplinary Tribunal. A ban of 10 years is a strong message against intentional and coordinated attempts to cheat at the very highest level of our sport,” said AIU chief Brett Clothier.

“This is an outcome that was driven by our intelligence-led target testing as well as our commitment to investigate the circumstances behind a positive test.”