AIU Hands Oduduru6 year Ban For ADRVs

Nigeria’s track and field runner, Divine Oduduru has been handed a six-year ban by the World Athletics’ Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for a doping violation.

The tribunal on thursday was found guilty for Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) by the AIU.

The AIU on its website said Oduduru who was linked to his compatriot Blessing Okagbare was found guilty of both possession (Rule 2.6 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules; ADR) and/or use or attempted use of multiple Prohibited Substances (Rule 2.2 ADR).

Oduduru did not test positive for any banned substance in the judgement dated September 18, which was signed by Anna Bordiugova.

He was however implicated in a WhatsApp message between Okagbare and her supplier, Eric Lira where his compatriot mentioned “Divine” and “we” while discussing.

Also Read: IOC Executive Board Suspends ROC

Oduduru has maintained innocence from 2019 to 2021, and even up to February 2023 provisionally suspended that he is the victim of a conspiracy.

Despite his defense, the tribunal ruled against him, finding him guilty of violating rules 2.6 and 2.2 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, saying;

“The Athlete has committed ADRVs under Rules 2.6 and 2.2 ADR. The violations shall be considered together as one single first violation……

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 9 February 2023 until the date of the decision shall be credited against the total period of Ineligibility.

The Athlete’s results from 12 July 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.”

He has also been ordered to pay World Athletics $3,000 “as contribution towards the legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with these proceedings”.

Odudurus’ 6 year ban makes him now part of the few names of Nigerian athletes to be suspended by the AIU.