Sports

AIU slams Nigerian athlete, Grace Nwokocha with three-year ban for doping

Published

1 year ago

October 27, 2023

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has banned another Nigerian athlete, Grace Nwokocha for three years after she failed a drug test at the Birmingham 2022 World Championships.

The World Athletics Federation also stripped Nigeria of the
Commonwealth Games relay gold medal which Nwokocha was a part of.

In a statement announcing the ban on Friday, the AIU said the 100m and 200m athlete was banned for the “Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances Ostarine and Ligandrol.”

The statement said the Nigerian sprinter “has been banned by the Athletics Integrity Unit for three years after being found guilty of a doping violation during Birmingham 2022.”

It explained that Nwokocha’s ban was a result of the “positive InCompetition sample returned during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where the Commonwealth Games Federation (“CGF”) in accordance with the Anti-Doping Rules for the 2022 Commonwealth Games (the “CGF ADR”), found an Adverse Analytical Finding for Ostarine and Dihydroxy-LGD4033 (a Metabolite of Ligandrol) which are Non-Specified substances, prohibited at all times.”

“Following this, her results in the 100m on 3 August 2022 and in the 200m on 4 August 2022 have been disqualified, together with the forfeiture of any medals, diplomas, titles, points, and prizes.

“Consequently, Nigeria’s result in the women’s 4x100m relay in which Nwokocha anchored them to the gold medal in an African Record of 42.05s is nullified, and silver medal-winning Great Britain now upgraded to gold,” the statement said.

In her defence during a hearing before the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Court in May, Nwokocha had said the positive test had been caused by cross-contamination, claiming that an unnamed team-mate had drank from her bottle of Lucozade during training at the Athletes Village.

This defence was rejected with the CGF Court finding her guilty of an anti-doping rule violation, and disqualifying her individual and team results at Birmingham 2022.

However, in July, Nwokocha had acknowledged she had committed anti-doping rule violations and agreed to a three-year suspension with the start of her ban backdated to August 3, 2022, the date the positive sample was collected, and will run through to August 2, 2025.

Related Topics:AIU Ban Doping Featured Grace Nwokocha

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Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

5 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”