The Nigerian athletics team in the Commonwealth Games was put to shame for a second time in as many days, as its hurdler Samuel Okon, was reported for an adverse analytical finding late on Monday night.
Okon who finished sixth in the 110m hurdles final on October 8 has tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a stimulant under category S6 of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.
On Monday, the news about his compatriot and women's 100m gold medallist, Osayemi Oludamola having tested positive was announced by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF). She continues to be provisionally suspended as the result of her ‘B' sample test is awaited.
The news of Okon having tested positive was announced by CGF president Michael Fennell at his customary press conference on Tuesday. A total of 1200 dope tests had been carried out, he said.
The procedures as laid down in the CGF anti-doping rules and as applied in the case of Oldudamola were being followed in the latest case also, Fennell said. He added that a provisional hearing would be held later this afternoon.
Fennell also said that Okon had not sought a ‘B' sample test according to preliminary reports received by him, but this was yet to be confirmed.
“We expect a confirmation at his hearing this afternoon,” Fennell said.
Fennell said the CGF was indeed concerned with the number of positive tests that was coming up with the same substance.
“At this stage, I cannot speak definitively as to where it is coming from, but it appears that it may be coming from one of the supplements. The supplement industry, with an annual turnover of $86 billion was by and large an unregulated industry. It is an industry that is a cause of great concern, not only for the fight against doping but also the protection of the athletes. More attention needs to be paid to educate the athletes, officials and coaches not to be carried away by the big advertisements put out by the supplement industry as most supplements do not assist an athlete in any way as has been promised. Many contain banned substances though one does not find it on the label of the products concerned.”
The Nigerian team authorities, who have promised all help to the CGF in matters relating to the positive tests returned by Oludamola and Okon, is reported to have started their own investigations on what has been an embarrassing development for the African country at these Games.
If the two athletes are found guilty by the CGF Court, the eventual sanctions, beyond the disqualification of results, would be carried out by the Nigerian Athletics Federation.
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