Nigerian athlete Blessing Okagbare has reportedly lost her appeal to upturn the suspension placed on her by World Athletics (WA) after failing an out-of-competition test.
Okagbare was disqualified from Tokyo Olympics Games on the eve of the semifinals of women’s 100m race after testing positive for human growth hormone.
The US-based runner appealed against the suspension, insisting on seeing the result of her B Sample.
An unnamed official close to WA, The Guardian reports, was quoted as saying that the Beijing 2008 Olympics medalist was allegedly handed four-year ban after the result of her B Sample came out with the same result.
“It is just unfortunate Blessing Okagbare found herself in this mess. When the result of her A Sample came out, Okagbare had the option of accepting it, which could have seen her ban reduced to two or three years, but she insisted on her B Sample. I pity her though, but WA wants all athletes to compete and win clean. Okagbare’s ban may elapse before the Paris 2024 Olympics,” the official stated.
