The Athletics Integrity Union, AIU, on Thursday, slammed a six-year ban against Nigerian Sprinter Divine Oduduru for possession and made an effort to use restricted substances for four years and an additional two years for exacerbating circumstances.
Oduduru who was indicted by a WhatsApp message between Okagbare and her supplier, Eric Lira, where his mate said “Divine and we” while discussing has been ordered to pay $3,000 to the World Athletics as legal fees and other fees regarding the circumstance.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of this matter, given its particularly grievous nature, exposing the sinister collusion between athletes and other persons in deliberate plans to corrupt athletics at the highest level,” Brett Clothier, head of the AIU, said.
“The Athlete has committed ADRVs under Rules 2.6 and 2.2 ADR. The violations shall be considered together as one single first violation,” the statement said.
“A period of Ineligibility of six (6) years is imposed by the Panel upon the athlete, commencing on the date of the Decision. The period of provisional suspension imposed on the athlete from February 9, 2023, until the date of the decision shall be credited against the total period of Ineligibility.
“The Athlete’s results from July 12, 2021, until the date that the Provisional Suspension was imposed, on 9 February 2023, shall be disqualified with all resulting consequences, including the forfeiture of any titles, awards, medals, points, and prize and appearance money,” it said.
Oduduru was a twice-champion at the African Youth Athletics Championships, a five-time African Junior Champion in the sprints, and the 200 m silver medallist at the 2014 World Junior Championships.
The 27-year-old represented Nigeria as a senior athlete at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2014 African Championships in Athletics, before winning 200 m silver medals at the 2015 and 2019 African Games as well as the 2018 African Championships.
