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By Monica Iheakam
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the shattering news of world record-holder Tobi Amusan being charged by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for alleged anti-doping violation.
In the early hours of Wednesday July 19, 2023 Amusan announced via Instagram that she has been charged by AIU for alleged doping violation, vowing to clear her name before the World Athletics championship in Budapest, next month.
Under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, any combination of three whereabouts failures (Filing Failure and/or Missed Test) within a period of 12 months constitutes an anti-doping rule violation, for which the applicable sanction is two years’ ineligibility subject to a reduction to a minimum of one year depending on your degree of fault.
The news has generated heated reactions from athletics lovers from around the globe on social media as Amusan may face a two-year suspension if she fails to clear her name
See reactions:
Orode Oyiki: “I understand that she has undergone more than 20 dope tests both urine and blood tests since January 2023. Some interests are after our world record holder. I understand she moved to her new apartment and promptly informed WADA or updated her address or where about.
Well-meaning fair-minded athletics supporters must resist this witch-hunting.
Marlon Hudson from Jamaica said: “It’s funny how the Americans defend Coleman saying he is not dirty he just had three missed tests. But now all of them are saying Tobi Amusan is taking drugs. So let me ask the Americans this was Coleman on drugs too.
Nigerian athletic writer, Uzor Odigbo, said: “As a stakeholder I really have not recovered from this chilly News. I still have not kept abreast with the three missed whereabouts tests Amusan was alleged to have done. May God help her. I don’t see the defense she would put up at the Tribunal. Nigeria being in Category A of AIU…only God will exempt her.
Daile Ferguson from Missouri : “She said she is charged with 3 missed tests. Is it not true that she actually missed 3 tests? It sounds to me like it’s not actually 3 because some paperwork was filed. And if she actually missed 3 tests, what is there to fight for, especially in four weeks?
According to Nicolakay Dormer, “I feel something not adding up. I want to hear Tobi’s part of this. Is it because she is African with a World Record in the 100m hurdles when you hear these things? I heard in the news that she said she did her tests so what’s going on??
Jon Seitz Pennsylvania, USA wrote: “As she should be. Rules are rules and she broke them. There’s no “they” or “people” keeping her down, and there’s no conspiracy. Coleman and Randolph Ross did the same. C’mon folks it’s not rocket science.
Hannu O Savolainen Barbados lamented, “That is bad news! It is very strange considering she lives in the US. I hope it gets sorted and was a misunderstanding, because anything else would mean an 18-month ban… This is weird.
