World Hurdles Champion Tobi Amusan Cleared of Doping Violation, Suspension Lifted

The Athletics Integrity Unity (AIU) has cleared Tobi Amusan, the record holder and World champion in the women’s 100 metre hurdles,  of an anti-doping rule violation.

AIU announced the decision in a statement on Thursday.

The World Athletics body said Amusan’s suspension has been lifted with immediate effect.

In July, AIU handed the Nigerian athlete a provisional suspension for allegedly “missing three tests in 12 months”.

AIU added that Amusan’s case had been transferred to a disciplinary tribunal.

Consequently, the world champion was excluded from the 26-athlete team submitted by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) for the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Similarly, her name on the World Athletics (WA) official list of athletes for the competition was accompanied by the caveat that her participation is based on the ruling on the case with AIU.

In the latest statement, AIU said a “majority decision” of the disciplinary tribunal ruled that Amusan “has not committed an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) of three whereabouts failures within a 12-month period”.

The decision means Amusan would be allowed to participate and defend her women’s 100m hurdles titles at the 2023 World Athletics Championships billed to hold in Budapest, Hungary, from August 19 to 27.

 Amusan, 26, took to her Facebook page on Thursday, saying, “This morning, I found out that the independent tribunal that heard my case has ruled that I did not violate the whereabouts rules and as a result I will not be sanctioned and none of my results will be precluded.

“I am thrilled to put this behind me, and I look forward to defending my title at next week’s World Championships. 

“I generally have been and consistently will be an ally of clean sport.

“To my five fingers, God is the greatest and I genuinely appreciate y’all for the support.”

The 26-year-old athlete was facing a two-year ban if found wanting.Hide original message

However, Brett Clothier, head of AIU, said the body will review the reasoning in detail and decide whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the applicable deadline.

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