The Athletics Integrity Unit has banned Nigerian athlete Blessing Okagbare from competing professionally for 10 years after finding her guilty of doping.
Okagbare, 33, had last year tested positive for human growth hormone at an out-of-competition test in Slovakia on July 19. The development saw her suspended from Tokyo Olympics.
A statement by the AIU on Friday said, “The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years.”
Last month, the United States Justice Department revealed a chat where Okagbare admitted to having used products supplied by one Eric Lira “for the purpose of corrupting” the Tokyo games.
Lira was charged to court for supplying drugs to two athletes.
In a document released by the Justice Department, the Nigerian admitted she ran faster after taking a substance Lira gave her.
Before the verdict, the Beijing Olympics silver medalist was hit with three anti-doping charges. One of which was over her “refusal to co-operate with the AIU’s investigation into her case.”
