Record-breaker Blessing Okagbare has been provisionally kicked out of the on-going Olympics in Tokyo.
In a press release by the Athletics Integrity Unit, the 32-year-old Nigerian athlete tested positive for human growth hormone.
The out-of-competition test on July 19 was carried out four days before the Olympics opened, and the result came out Friday, after Okagbare won her heat in 11.05 seconds, and qualified for women semifinals in the 100-meter race.
“The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria today with immediate effect after a sample collected from the sprinter tested positive for human Growth Hormone,” the press statement read.
“Growth Hormone is a non-specified substance on the 2021 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List and a provisional suspension is mandatory following an adverse analytical finding for such substance under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.
“The AIU collected the sample from Ms. Okagbare during an out-of-competition test on 19 July. The WADA-accredited laboratory that analysed the sample notified the AIU of the adverse analytical finding at mid-day Central European Time yesterday, Friday 30 July.
“The athlete was notified of the adverse analytical finding and of her provisional suspension this morning in Tokyo. She was scheduled to participate in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m this evening.
“The AIU will make no further comment on this matter at this time.”
Okagbare will no longer compete at the Tokyo Olympics.
This her third Olympic experience since 2012.