Doping :Divine Oduduru Handed Six-Year Ban by World Athletics

Nigerian athlete , Divine Oduduru, has been issued a six-year ban by the World Athletics’ Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) due to a doping violation, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.

This suspension comes in response to a verdict delivered by the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal, which was tasked with investigating allegations of potential Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) by AIU.

The AIU, through its official website, disclosed that Divine Oduduru, who had been linked to fellow Nigerian athlete Blessing Okagbare, was found guilty of possession (Rule 2.6 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules; ADR) and/or use or attempted use of multiple Prohibited Substances (Rule 2.2 ADR).

Oduduru did not test positive for any banned substances. Instead, his implication stemmed from a WhatsApp conversation between Okagbare and her supplier, Eric Lira, in which the name “Divine” was mentioned, along with the pronoun “we” during the discussion.

The AIU statement clarified, “The Athlete has committed ADRVs under Rules 2.6 and 2.2 ADR. The violations shall be considered together as one single first violation.”

Furthermore, the panel imposed a six-year period of ineligibility upon Oduduru, which commenced from the date of the decision. The provisional suspension imposed on the athlete from February 9, 2023, until the date of the decision was also factored into the total period of ineligibility.

Consequently, all of Oduduru’s results achieved from July 12, 2021, until the initiation of the provisional suspension on February 9, 2023, will be disqualified, leading to the forfeiture of titles, awards, medals, points, and any associated prize money.

Additionally, the athlete was directed to contribute $3,000 to World Athletics to cover legal fees and related expenses associated with the proceedings.