Commonwealth Games 2010: Second Nigerian fails drug test
The Commonwealth Games Federation and the Indian Olympic Association declared the New Delhi Games as being clean and free from any doping scandals. However, two of the Nigerian athletes have been tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine.
Samuel Okon, the finalist of the 110 metre hurdles event which took place last Friday, has also tested positive for this banned stimulant. It is the same chemical for which Osayomi Oludamola was tested positive for. Fennel announced the disqualification
of Okon today, while the provisional disqualification of Osayomi was announced on Monday by the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation. Her A-sample tested positive for the chemical, while the results of her B-sample are still awaited. In an interview
regarding doping, Fennell said that doping scandals can seriously damage the reputation of the Commonwealth Games. The president also revealed that the doping officers in New Delhi have conducted more than 950 doping tests for the Delhi Games so far.
Sally Pearson was stripped of the gold medal that she apparently won at the women’s 100 metre event, after a protest launched by the officials of Team England, against the Australian hurdle expert. As a result of the protest, Sally was disqualified and the
Nigerian athlete was elevated to the first position. However, if Osayomi’s B-sample also turns out to be positive, she will also be stripped of the gold medal in the 100 metre event. The results of the B-sample are expected to come out this afternoon.
When the spokesman if the Nigerian Olympic Association, Tony Ubani, was approached by the media persons, he said, “The drug was in a mineral supplement she (Osayomi) bought over the counter in the US and brought with her. The Nigerian Olympic Committee is
solidly behind her. She is one of our elite athletes and has never tested positive. She has been tested three times this year at competitions in the USA and has never tested positive.”
The banned stimulant, methylhexaneamine, was added to the list of World Anti-Doping Agency this year. Eight Indian athletes, including six wrestlers were disqualified from the Games earlier this year when they tested positive for the stimulant. The chemical
is a derivative of germanium and oil. It can be found in the nasal decongestants, and can be used for recreation and nutrition. Since it is a stimulant, methylhexaneamine prevents fatigue and increases awareness, along with helping with weight loss.
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