Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare reacts after winning her race in the women’s 100m heats during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 30, 2021. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)
Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare has been barred from the Olympics after failing a drug test, the first doping case of the Tokyo games track and field competition, officials said Saturday.
The Athletics Integrity Unit said in a statement that Okagbare, who won her opening heat of the women’s 100m on Friday, had tested positive for human growth hormone.
The out-of-competition test was conducted on July 19, the AIU said. Okagbare was notified of the test results early Saturday.
Former Commonwealth Games gold medallist Okagbare, 32, won her heat in 11.05sec on Friday.
Okagbare’s suspension is the latest twist in a troubled track and field campaign at the Olympics for Nigeria.
On Thursday, the AIU said 10 Nigerian athletes were among 18 competitors prevented from entering competition in Tokyo after failing to meet requirements for out-of-competition testing.