Nwokocha provisionally suspended by AIU for doping

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has handed Nigeria’s Grace Nwokocha a provisional suspension over the use of banned substances.

The AIU included Nwokocha’s name on the list of athletes placed on provisional suspension via its website on Saturday night.

When athletes are handed a provisional suspension, they are temporarily banned from competition before a final decision is taken at a hearing conducted under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules.

A top source in the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had earlier told TheCable that Nwokocha “failed a doping test” conducted on her during this year’s Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Birmingham.

Ostarine and lingadrol were found in her sample A urine collected on August 3, 2022.

The AIU has provisionally suspended Nigerian runner, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, for the Presence/Use of Prohibited Substances (Ostarine & Ligandrol) (Article 2.1 and Article 2.2)

Details here: https://t.co/5W4EeNE4HR pic.twitter.com/TKjUIk7ljn

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— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) September 3, 2022

The AIU said Nwokocha will be placed on provisional suspension pending the conclusion of investigations.

It added that the athlete has already been informed of the decision.

“In doping cases, a Provisional Suspension is mandatory under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules following an adverse analytical finding for any non-specified substance on the Prohibited List,” the statement reads.

“A Provisional Suspension may be imposed in other doping cases depending on the nature and circumstances of the case in question.

“A Provisional Suspension imposed in a non-doping case does not in any way abrogate the presumption of innocence and it is not an early determination of guilt. Rather, it is an order made on a precautionary basis to safeguard the interests of the sport.”

Nwokocha was among the Nigerian women’s 4x100m relay team that won the gold medal at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

There are also strong indications that Nigeria may be stripped of the gold medal.