Amusan misses three doping tests
Hurdles world record holder suspended shortly before the World Cup
07/19/2023 1:38 p.m
At the 2022 World Athletics Championships, Tobi Amusan first set a world record and then stormed to the title. But the Nigerian hurdle sprinter can’t defend it: Four weeks before the World Championships in Budapest, she was suspended by the world association.
The World Athletics Championships in Budapest will most likely take place without the world record holder over 100 meters hurdles. Tobi Amusan has been provisionally suspended a month before the competitions (19th to 27th August). The Nigerian has been charged with three violations of the reporting obligation, according to the independent Integrity Commission (AIU) of the world association World Athletics. Athletes must indicate in advance where they can be found each day for a doping control. If there are three violations or incorrect information, there is a risk of a ban.
Amusan himself had made the allegations public a few hours earlier: “Because I’ve missed three tests in the last twelve months,” said the 26-year-old on Instagram. The case will be heard by the disciplinary tribunal and “decided before the World Championships in Athletics,” said the AIU. Providing information about whereabouts and the period of time for an unannounced doping test are an elementary part of life as a competitive athlete.
Amusan wants to clear up the allegations. “I intend to fight this allegation and will have my case decided by a three-referee tribunal before the start of the World Championships next month,” said Amusan, who set the current world record of 12.12 at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, USA Seconds over 100 meters hurdles had set up.
Amusan added: “I’m a clean athlete and I’m tested regularly (maybe even more than usual) by the AIU – I was tested within days of my third ‘missed test’. I have faith that the matter is closed will be decided in my favor and I can compete at the World Championships in August.” Amusan had just won the race over 100 meters hurdles in a strong 12.35 seconds at the meeting in Szekesfehervar, Hungary. That was just a hundredth of a second slower than when she won the Diamond League meeting in Chorzow last Sunday.