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SHOCKER! Blessing Okagbare is suspended from Tokyo 2020 for doping

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OKAGBARE

 

Top Nigerian sprinter and medal hopeful, Blessing Okagbare, has been suspended from the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games, after testing positive for human growth hormone.

A statement from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) revealed that Okagbare who is both a world and Olympic medallist failed an out-of-competition test taken on July 19.

Having won her heat race on Friday, she was meant to compete in the women’s 100 metres semi-finals on Saturday but that is no longer the case as she will miss the remainder of the Olympics.

Okagbare’s suspension was officially announced by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in a statement issued Saturday morning.

“The Athletics Integrity Unit has provisionally suspended Blessing Okagbare of Nigeria today with immediate effect after a sample collected from the sprinter tested positive for human growth hormone,” the AIU said.

“Growth hormone is a non-specified substance on the 2021 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list and a provisional suspension is mandatory following an adverse analytical finding for such substance under the World Athletics anti-doping rules.

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“The AIU collected the sample from Ms. Okagbare during an out-of-competition test on 19 July.

“The WADA-accredited laboratory that analysed the sample notified the AIU of the adverse analytical finding at midday Central European Time yesterday, Friday 30 July.

“The athlete was notified of the adverse analytical finding and of her provisional suspension this morning in Tokyo.

“She was scheduled to participate in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m this evening.

“The AIU will make no further comment on this matter at this time.”

The AIU had already disqualified 10 Nigerian athletes from Tokyo 2020 having failed to undergo the mandatory three out-of-competition tests in the run-up to the Olympic Games.

The disqualification which many blamed on administrative lapses by Nigeria’s sports ministry and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria drew reactions from many including Okagbare who hit out at sports governance in Nigeria, saying: “I have said it before and I will say it again.

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“If you do not know the sport, not passionate about it/us [the athletes], then you have no business there as an administrator.

“The sport system in Nigeria is so flawed and we athletes are always at the receiving end of the damages.”

Okagbare is the most experienced among those competing in athletics for Nigeria in Tokyo.

She made her Olympic debut in Beijing 2008 where she won a silver medal in the Long Jump and subsequently competed at both the London and Rio Olympic Games.

Described as Nigeria’s Queen of Tracks, Okagbare has a long list of accomplishments including at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow where she won long jump silver and 100m bronze.

Apart from being a multi African champion, Okagbare also won the 100m/200m double at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria said it has received with great shock the suspension of Okagbare for a doping test violation.

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The Federation through its president, Tony Okowa, said it is in the process of obtaining the relevant details of the announcement after which a full reaction will be issued.

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UPDATED: Man City win historic fourth consecutive EPL title

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Manchester City are champions of the 2023/24 English Premier League season after defeating West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad on the campaign’s final day.

 

The Citizen clinched the title after finishing just two points over Arsenal, who defeated Everton 2-1 at the Emirate Stadium.

 

The latest title triumph is Man City’s fourth consecutive title, a record-setting achievement for Pep Guardiola’s side.

 

It is also the club’s 10th EPL title and the sixth since Guardiola took over the team in 2016.

 

A Phil Foden brace and Rodri’s shot in second-half ensured Man City ended the season with 91 points over Arsenal’s accumulated total of 89.

 

The two teams’ performances took the title race to the season’s final day, and the Citizens executed their plans to perfection.

 

Arsenal had to come from a goal down against Everton, but their effort proved short of the indefatigable champions.

 

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Idrissa Gueye put Everton ahead early in the first half after his freekick was deflected past David Raya by Declan Rice into the net. The Gunners struck back three minutes later when Takehiro Tomiyaso stroked the ball home after Martin Odegaard teed him up.

 

Kai Havertz completed the come-back for Mikel Arteta’s side with one of the final kicks of the game.

Elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp got a winning farewell in his final game at Anfield, thanks to a Liverpool 2-0 victory over ten-men Wolverhampton Wanderers.

 

Chelsea confirmed their return to European football next season with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, while Manchester United will hope to win the FA Cup for a chance to play European football next season after finishing eighth in the league despite a 2-0 win at Brighton.

 

Luton join Burnley and Sheffield United to be relegated from the EPL following a 4-2 loss to Fulham at home.

RESULTS

Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Brentford 2-4 Newcastle United
Brighton 0-2 Manchester United
Burnley 1-2 Nott. Forest
Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 5-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves
Luton 2-4 Fulham
Manchester City 3-1 West Ham
Sheffield Utd 0-3 Tottenham

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BREAKING: Man City win historic fourth consecutive EPL title

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Manchester City are champions of the 2023/24 English Premier League season after defeating West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad on Sunday. 

 

The Citizen clinched the title after finishing just one point over Arsenal, who defeated Everton 2-1 at the Emirate Stadium.

Details later…

READ  BREAKING: Nigerian sprinter, Blessing Okagbare banned for 10 years for 'multiple' anti-doping breaches
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Usyk defeats Fury to emerge undisputed heavyweight champion

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Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world.

 

Fury and Usyk fought at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday night.

 

Usyk won the bout through a split decision, edging the Briton 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113 on the cards.

 

Fury came out strong in the early rounds of the bout but Usyk was able to stave off the British fighter’s onslaught.

 

The Ukrainian gained momentum as the fight progressed, with his superior footwork and technical skill allowing him to evade Fury’s powerful blows and land precise shots of his own.

 

The Ukrainian floored Fury in the ninth round which was the turning point of the much-anticipated fight.

 

Despite Fury’s valiant effort to recover in the final rounds, Usyk’s dominance had already sealed the victory.

 

The 37-year-old Ukrainian is the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the world since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago. He has now unified the WBA, WBO, IBF, and WBC titles.

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For Fury, it is the first loss in his 16-year professional career — but he will have a chance at a rematch before the end of the year.

 

In his post-fight interview, the British boxer accused the judges of giving the victory to Usyk because of the war in Ukraine.

 

“His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war,” he said.

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