B Kehinde Okeowo
The hopes of millions of Nigerians at picking an Olympics 100 meters medal through Blessing Okagbure has been dashed. This follows her disqualification by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) which says the Sprinter, who won her opening heat of the women’s 100m, tested positive for human growth hormone.
She was due to compete in the semifinal of the event against Elaine Thompson-Herath of Jamaica and Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain on Saturday.
Nigeria can only pick a medal in this event through 20 year old Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha who posted a personal best time of 11.00 seconds to qualify for semi-final on Friday
Okagbare’s exit, is also likely to impact the relay races of Team Nigeira and the coaches will have to ensure it does not affect the moral of the remaining members of the relay team
Nigeria had earlier seen 10 of it’s athletes disqualified for not complying with drug test rules at the Tokyo Olympics.