Doping: IOC demands expulsion of Nigerian athlete from Games Village
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach gestures as he speaks during a news conference, ahead of the 141st IOC Session, in Mumbai, India, October 13, 2023. REUTERS/Niharika Kulkarni/File Photo
The International Olympic Committee has directed the Nigeria Olympic Committee to remove its suspended athlete, Cynthia Ogunsemilore, from the Games Village.
The Media Attaché of Team Nigeria, Tony Zezianya, disclosed on Tuesday in Paris that the IOC made the demand as a result of the female boxer’s current situation.
Ogunsemilore, a 60kg female boxer, was provisionally suspended on Sunday as a result of an out-of-competition doping violation.
“This provisional suspension was on account of her alleged doping violation, contained in a result of a sample test. In compliance with the directive, the Team Nigeria management will cooperate with the IOC and any other relevant body to ensure she is moved out of the Games Village,” said Mr Nezianya, who is also the Public Relations Officer of the NOC.
Ogunsemilore was on Thursday subjected to an out-of-competition doping control for which an Adverse Analytical Finding was reported for the presence of Furosemide.
The substance is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency at all times and classified as a “specified substance” under S.5 Diuretics and Masking Agents of the 2024 WADA Prohibited List.
The International Testing Agency subsequently, on behalf of the IOC, notified the athlete of the AAF on Sunday and imposed a provisional suspension with immediate effect.
(NAN)
