By Oviri Kelvin, Abuja,
The Athletic Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended 100mh world champion, Tobi Amusan, from track and field events for failure to turn up for anti-doping tests.
In a statement released by the anti-doping watchdog, the action was taken against the Nigerian-born athlete after on three occasions, she failed to partake in the athletes’ anti-doping routine.
According to AIU, explaining what provisional suspension means on its website, the body stated: “Provisional Suspension is when an Athlete or other Person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in Athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.”
Explicably, Amusan was faulted by Article 2.4 of the AIU Integrity Code of Conduct for three (3) ‘Whereabouts Failures’ and would face the ‘Disciplinary Tribunal’ before the next World Athletics Championship.
“The AIU confirms that it has today charged and provisionally suspended Tobi Amusan (NGR) for 3 Whereabouts Failures,” AIU said.
“The Charge will be heard by the Disciplinary Tribunal and determined before the World Athletics Championships,” the athletic body added.
Meanwhile, reacting to the development, Amusan remains unperturbed, maintaining her innocence that she is clean.
In a statement issued by the world champion, she intends to defend her innocence before the tribunal comprising three arbitrators.
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“(July 19, 2023) Today,0 the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged me with an alleged rule violation for having 3 missed tests in 12 months,” Amusan said.
“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of 3 arbitrators before the start of next month’s World
Championships.
“I am a CLEAN ATHLETE, and I am regularly; (maybe more than the usual) tested by the AlU – I was tested within days of my third “missed test.”
“I have FAITH that this will be resolved in my favor and that I will be competing at the World Championships in August. In the meantime, I ask that the media respect my privacy while I address these allegations in my upcoming arbitration,” she added.
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