• Africans are being targeted – Nwokocha

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), yesterday, said it is seriously disturbed by charges of doping violation filed by World Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) against Nigerian sensation, Tobi Amusan.

Amusan, the 2021 world champion and world record holder in the women’s 100m hurdles, is in trouble for allegedly missing three out of competition dope tests. She will appear before a three-man arbitration panel to clear her name before the Budapest 2023 World Championships in August.

AFN President, Tonobok Okowa, yesterday, described the situation as ‘sad,’ but added that Amusan is not out of the Budapest 2023 World Championships yet.

“I have not been myself since the news broke out last night,” Okowa told The Guardian in a telephone chat, yesterday. “I don’t think she is out of the World Championships yet. It will depend on what happens at the arbitration panel. Our prayer now is for the AIU to give Tobi fast hearing. If she is cleared before the World Championships, then she can compete for us. But I am really worried.”

Technical Director of the AFN, Samuel Onikeku, also said that he hopes Amusan is cleared of the doping violation charges filed against her by the AIU.

“I hope she comes out of it, but there is nothing we (AFN) can do,” Onikeku stated. United States-based sprinter, Grace Nwokocha, who was stripped of her Commonwealth gold medal last week over drugs related offences, stated that something has to be done urgently to stop the growing trend of suspension and ban on Nigerian athletes.

“Something is definitely not right somewhere and no one is ready to put a contest with these people,” she said in a message to The Guardian. “This hatred is increasing daily and everyone is acting cold on it. What I can sense here is that they are trying to bring Africans down because they look down on us too much,” she stated.

However, a member of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Commission, who spoke to The Guardian, yesterday, sees things from a different perspective as far as Amusan’s issues are concerned. “I don’t know if there is any personal war between the AIU and Tobi Amusan.

The rules are very clear and I expect a top athlete of Amusan’s calibre to know. Sometimes, our athletes do more than themselves. As things stands Amusan is provisionally suspended already and unless a miracle happens, she is out of Budapest 2023 World Championship.”

The official, who pleaded anonymity, continued: “During the National Trials in Benin City, the Head of Nigeria Medical and Anti-Doping Commission, Professor Ken Anugweje, organised a seminar to educate the athletes on rules and various steps that are required in the anti-doping system, but you need to see the unprofessional behaviour of our athletes. They disrupted the programme, which is meant to safeguard their careers.”

On this present case, it is only Amusan, who can tell what really transpired. I pray she comes out of it.” The Guardian recalls that on Tuesday night, Amusan wrote on her Facebook page: “Today, the Athletes Integrity Unit charged me with alleged rule violation having missed three tests in 12 months. I intend to fight this charge, and will have my case decided before the World Championships.

“I am a clean athlete, and more than usually tested by AIU. I was tested within days of my last ‘missed test.’

“I have faith that this would be resolved in my favour and that I would compete in the World Championships.” Nigeria lost her Commonwealth Games relay gold last week after team member, Grace Nwokocha, tested positive for steroids. The Nigeria 4x100m CWG gold quartet at Birmingham, England, included Amusan.