18 athletes barred from Tokyo Olympics 2020 over drug-test standards
18 athletes barred from Tokyo Olympics 2020 over drug-test standards
Ten Nigerian athletes are among 18 athletes from "high-risk" countries who have been excluded
from competing in the Tokyo Olympics after failing to meet out-of-competition drug testing
criteria, according to World Athletics' independent anti-doping arm (July 29).
The athletes in question, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit, did not follow the rules introduced in 2019 requiring athletes from countries deemed to be at the highest risk of doping - known as "Category A" countries - to submit to three no-notice out-of-competition tests in the ten months leading up to a significant event.
The national federation substituted two Kenyan athletes before being submitted for entry, according to the AIU.
Belarus (3 athletes), Ethiopia (1), Kenya (2), Morocco (1), and Ukraine (3) were among the countries whose athletes were forbidden from competing.
Nigeria was by far the worst-affected country, with 10 of its 23 Tokyo entries ruled ineligible.
According to a source acquainted with the case, renowned sprinter and medal contender Blessing Okagbare was not among the ten Nigerian athletes.
It was unclear whether the athletes who would be affected by the AIU decision had already arrived in Japan.
While those countries in Category A have made "substantial advances" in anti-doping efforts, AIU board chairman David Howman noted, "there still a long way to go in some cases."
"The eligibility standards for athletes from 'Category A' countries are obvious, and compliance is crucial for solidifying the necessary long-term adjustments and guaranteeing a level playing field for clean athletes," Howman explained.
The athletes in question, according to the Athletics Integrity Unit, did not follow the rules introduced in 2019 requiring athletes from countries deemed to be at the highest risk of doping - known as "Category A" countries - to submit to three no-notice out-of-competition tests in the ten months leading up to a significant event.
The national federation substituted two Kenyan athletes before being submitted for entry, according to the AIU.
Belarus (3 athletes), Ethiopia (1), Kenya (2), Morocco (1), and Ukraine (3) were among the countries whose athletes were forbidden from competing.
Nigeria was by far the worst-affected country, with 10 of its 23 Tokyo entries ruled ineligible.
According to a source acquainted with the case, renowned sprinter and medal contender Blessing Okagbare was not among the ten Nigerian athletes.
It was unclear whether the athletes who would be affected by the AIU decision had already arrived in Japan.
While those countries in Category A have made "substantial advances" in anti-doping efforts, AIU board chairman David Howman noted, "there still a long way to go in some cases."
"The eligibility standards for athletes from 'Category A' countries are obvious, and compliance is crucial for solidifying the necessary long-term adjustments and guaranteeing a level playing field for clean athletes," Howman explained.