…I Am A Clean Athlete, I Will Fight This Charge – Amusan

By Amaechi Agbo

The Athletic Integrity Unity, AIU on Tuesday has suspended Nigeria 100m hurdle Queen and World Record holder, Tobi Amusan for allegedly missing doping on three occasions within 12 months

The AIU said the Nigeria and Africa champion failed to be available for doping tests on three times, hence the suspension placed on her.

“The AIU confirms that it has today charged and provisionally suspended Tobi Amusan (NGR) for 3 Whereabouts Failures.

“The Charge will be heard by the Disciplinary Tribunal and determined before the World Athletics Championships,” the AIU said on Tuesday morning

However, Tobi Amusan has reacted to the suspension stating that she is “a clean athlete” and vowed to fight the charge in the arbitration.

Amusan who on Tuesday won the Gyulai Istan Memorial Women’s 100m Hurdles at 12.35 seconds in Budapest, Hungary, said she would challenge the suspension stressing that she would.come out clean and participate in the August World Athletics Championships

“Today the Athletics Integrity Unit (AlIU) has charged me with an alleged rule violation for having 3 missed tests in 12 months.

“| intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of 3 arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships.

“I am a CLEAN ATHLETE, and | am regularly; (maybe more than the usual) tested by the AlU | was tested within days of my third “missed test.”

While stating that the decision would be resolved in her favour, she appealed to the media to respect her privacy as she challenges the suspension

“I have FAITH that this will be resolved in my favor and that I will be competing at the World Championships in August. In the meantime, I ask that the media respect my privacy while I address these allegations in my upcoming arbitration.”

What is Provisional Suspension by AIU?

A Provisional Suspension is when an Athlete or other Person is suspended temporarily from participating in any competition or activity in Athletics prior to a final decision at a hearing conducted under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules or the Integrity Code of Conduct.

In doping cases, a Provisional Suspension is mandatory under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules following an adverse analytical finding for any non-specified substance on the Prohibited List.

A Provisional Suspension may be imposed in other doping cases depending on the nature and circumstances of the case in question.