Julius Okorie
The Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) has cleared Nigeria’s track queen and World record holder Tobi Amusan of doping allegations.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe court in a landmark ruling Friday dismissed an appeal filed by World Athletics (WA) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) against the 100m hurdles record holder.
“CAS has dismissed the appeals filed by World Athletics (WA) and by WADA against the decision issued on17 August 2023 (the Challenged Decision) by the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal (WADT) in relation to the hurdler Oluwatobiloba (Tobi) Amusan (Nigeria),” a verdict by the court read.
In July 2023, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) placed Amusan on a provisional ban from all sporting activities and was subsequently charged with violation of anti-doping rules after she reportedly missed three whereabouts control tests within a 12-month period.
Amusan who maintained she was innocent, appealed the decision, and a month later, an Independent Disciplinary Tribunal sided with her, ruling that Amusan did not commit any anti-doping violations. But the AIU still not satisfied with her clearance, proceeded to file an appeal at sports’ highest court.
Finally in a media release by Court of Arbitration for Sports dated 28th June,2024, the court affirmed the initial independent panel decision that the 27-year-old Amusan did not violate any rule she was charged with over the alleged three missed whereabouts tests in 12 months and ruled that no period of ineligibility should be imposed on the runner.
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“Accordingly, the Challenged Decision in which the WADT considered that Tobi Amusan did not violate Rule 2.4 of the WA Anti-Doping Rules (WA ADR) and that no period of ineligibility should be imposed on the Athlete is confirmed,” the verdict added.
“The Athlete was initially charged with committing an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) under Rule 2.4 WA ADR following three alleged Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period.
“In their respective appeal to CAS, WA and WADA had sought the imposition of a two-year period of ineligibility. The CAS Panel held a hearing on 19 January 2024.
“Having deliberated, the CAS Panel has issued its decision today dismissing both appeals.
“The CAS Panel unanimously acknowledged that the Athlete committed two filing failures but did not confirm the existence of a missed test, alleged by WA and WADA, which would have been the third Whereabouts Failure committed within a 12-month period.
“Accordingly, the CAS Panel concluded that the Athlete did not commit an ADRV and that the Challenged Decision should be confirmed.”
With this final clearance by Court of Arbitration for Sports, Amusan now has eyes focused on winning more laurels beginning with the Paris Olympics next month in France where she is expected to lead Nigeria’s relay aside from participating in other individual contests namely the 100m and 200m race respectively.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
