By Uzor Odigbo
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has promised that Nigerian athletes would not be disqualified for doping regulation violation at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
At the last Olympics Games in Tokyo, Japan, 10 Nigerian athletes were ejected from the Games after they failed to present evidence of the required tests.
The affected athletes were Knowledge Omovoh, Ruth Usoro, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, Glory Patrick, Yinka Ajayi, Tima Godbless, Chidi Okezie, Chioma Onyekwere and Annette Echikunwoke.
Now, Team Nigeria is preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympics and the Technical Director of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Samuel Onikeku, says no athlete will suffer such again.
He spoke with AFN Media at the just concluded AAC Zone ll Athletics Championship in Accra, Ghana.
Nigeria is in category A National Federations deemed by the World Athletics Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU) to be the most susceptible to doping, and must meet certain extra requirements to be able to select an athlete for the Olympic Games or World Championships.
“We don’t have any issue with mandatory testing for athletes,” Onikeku said. “We have 40 athletes already tested and we are even adding some more to it.”
“That is something we have taken seriously so that we don’t find ourselves in the same situation as in 2020. The Sports Ministry provided funding for 21 athletes to carry out the test, while the AFN catered for the rest.
