Doping Ban: Okagbare reacts, hints on appealing decision

Top Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has reacted to the 10-year ban slammed on her by the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Athletics Integrity Unit.

She said her team of lawyers are currently studying the ban, adding that her next line of action will be communicated soon.

Okagbare was first suspended over 

seven months ago for doping. AIU finally announced on Friday that she had been banned for 10 years, an unprecedented action against any first-time offender in AIU history.

In a post on her Facebook following the AIU ban, she wrote, “My attention has been drawn to the statement issued by the AIU regarding its disciplinary panel decision. My lawyers are currently studying it for our next line of action which we will inform you soon. –.“ 

Explaining why Okagbare was severely punished with a 10-year ban instead of the 4-year ban which most times is the maximum punishment often meted out to erring athletes, 

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AIU said in a statement on Friday: 

“The sole arbitrator adjudicating the case concluded that the athlete’s use of multiple prohibited substances as part of an organised doping regimen in the lead up to the Tokyo Olympic Games was egregious conduct that amounted to aggravating circumstances under the Rules thereby warranting an additional period of ineligibility on top of the standard four-year sanction.

“The sole arbitrator also recognised the AIU’s right to carry out investigations, including the imaging of electronic devices, and to impose sanctions when an athlete refuses to co-operate with an investigation and thereby frustrates the AIU’s ability to fulfil its mandate to protect the integrity of the sport of athletics. In this instance, the sole arbitrator concluded that the athlete’s refusal to cooperate had denied the AIU the opportunity to discover evidence of possible further rule violations by her as well possible violations of the rules by others, for which he imposed an additional sanction of five years.”

Meanwhile, Okagbare, going by the standard practices, has the right to appeal against the Disciplinary Tribunal’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 30-days.