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Panel Clears Tobi Amusan Of Doping Violations, Lifts Suspension

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan competes during the women’s 100m hurdles round 1 athletics event at the Alexander Stadium, in Birmingham on day eight of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, central England, on August 5, 2022. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Nigerian track queen Tobi Amusan has been cleared of doping violations with the provisional suspension on her lifted.

“A panel of the Disciplinary Tribunal, by majority decision, has today found that Tobi Amusan has not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) of three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period,” the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said in a Thursday evening statement.

“AIU Head Brett Clothier has indicated the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is disappointed by this decision and will review the reasoning in detail before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the applicable deadline.

“The decision is currently confidential but will be published in due course. Amusan’s provisional suspension has now been lifted with immediate effect.”

The Nigerian, who holds the women’s hurdles record, was temporarily suspended in July after failing three drug tests in 12 months and faces a two-year suspension if the accusations were confirmed.

Her ban was viewed as a major setback for Nigeria’s chances in the competition. Following the news, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) omitted Amusan from the country’s delegation to the World Athletics Championship, which begins on Saturday.

However, following Thursday’s announcement, the medal contender will compete in Budapest, Hungary.

A ‘Clean Athlete’ 

In the wake of the suspension, Amusan had vowed to challenge the suspension, maintaining she is a “clean athlete”.

“I am a CLEAN athlete, and I am regularly (maybe more than usual) tested by the AIU,” she tweeted hours after the provisional suspension.

“Today, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has charged me with an alleged rule violation for having three missed tests in 12 months.

“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of three arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships.”

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