Another huge blow for TeamNigeria in Tokyo2020 as Blessing Okagbare is barred from continuing in the Olympics after failing Drug Test

The unit said she tested positive in an out-of-competition test on July 19 and was informed of her suspension on Saturday.

Nigerian Sprinter Blessing Okagbare out of Tokyo Olympics after failing Drug Test

Another huge blow for #TeamNigeria in #Tokyo2020 as Blessing Okagbare is barred from continuing in the Olympics this morning in the  women's 100m by the ATHLETICS  INTEGRITY UNIT after one of her Out-Of-Competition samples came out positive.

The Nigeria's sprinter was scheduled to run this morning 31 July 2021 in the women's 100m semifinals.

Athletics Integrity Unit announced the suspension on their official handles.

Nigerian sprinter and 2008 Olympics long jump silver medallist Blessing Okagbare’s Tokyo Games ended abruptly on Saturday morning after she was provisionally suspended following a positive test for human growth hormone, the Athletics Integrity Unit said in a statement.

The 32-year-old, who has also won world championship medals in the 200m and the long jump and is competing in her fourth Olympics, had comfortably won her 100m heat in Tokyo on Friday with a time of 11.05 seconds, qualifying for Saturday’s semi-final.

She was also due to compete in the 200m as well as the 4X100m relay.

“The athlete was notified of the adverse analytical finding and of her provisional suspension this morning in Tokyo,” the AIU said.

The unit said she tested positive in an out-of-competition test on July 19 and was informed of her suspension on Saturday.

This is the latest blow for Nigeria’s athletics team after 10 track and field athletes were ruled as ineligible for the Tokyo Games three days ago for failing to meet minimum testing requirements.

On the list of banned substances, human growth hormone reduces body fat, increases muscle mass and strength and helps in recovery, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency.

When contacted by Reuters, the Nigerian Olympic Committee did not comment on the matter.

Okagbare’s silver medal from the Beijing Games was a result of her being upgraded in 2017 after the International Olympic Committee disqualified Russian athlete Tatyana Lebedeva due to a doping offence. She had originally finished third in that long jump competition.